By Yu Zhongwen, Xinhua,
Cairo : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said here on Sunday that he is in favor of relaunching inter-Palestinian dialogue under the auspices of Egypt and continuing the talks with Israel in a bid to push ahead the Middle East peace process.
Following talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday, Abbas said an inter-Palestinian dialogue will be relaunched under the auspices of Egypt.
Abbas said he agreed with Mubarak that Egypt will soon start extending invitations to various Palestinian factions to participate in the dialogue in a bid to reach Palestinians reconciliation.
In an interview with Egyptian media after talks with Mubarak, Abbas said Egypt will send out invitations Monday to all Palestinian factions to take part in the inter-Palestinian dialogue to be held in Cairo.
Abbas said Egypt will foster the inter-Palestinian dialogue as it is familiar with the Palestinian situation and has the experience of hosting Palestinian dialogues, according to the Egyptian official MENA news agency.
The Palestinian leader ruled out the possibility of being affected by external factors to the inter-Palestinian dialogue, referring to reports about possible U.S. pressure.
“The supreme national interests of the Palestinian people are what dictate the Palestinian decision,” Abbas was quoted as saying.
“If there is pressure from the United States or from any party, we shall not accept it nor shall we accept interference from anyone concerning an internal Palestinian dialogue,” he said.
Referring to the recent explosions in the Gaza Strip that killed Hamas militants, Abbas rejected accusations that his Fatah movement was “responsible or partly responsible for them.”
Describing the bomb attacks as “very regrettable and painful for us,” Abbas called for an independent Palestinian committee to investigate the incidents.
On Saturday, Hamas forces launched a crackdown on supporters of Abbas’ Fatah movement in Gaza following a mysterious blast that killed five Hamas members and a child on Friday, which casts shadows on the inter-Palestinian dialogue.
As for the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks resumed last November, Abbas said the Palestinian leadership would continue to pursue talks with Israel despite obstacles.
Even if there was only “a mere one percent” hope of success, the Palestinian leaders should continue the talks in the interest of the Palestinian people, said Abbas.
The Palestinians and Israel agreed to resume peace talks during the U.S.-sponsored peace conference at Annapolis last November, with an aim to clinch a peace agreement before the end of 2008.
However, no tangible progress has been achieved so far in the negotiations which would pave the way for a Palestinian statehood alongside Israel.
Abbas conceded that the obstacles along the way included the issue of checkpoints, the ongoing Israeli settlement activities in the disputed lands and Israeli troops’ incursions into the Palestinian territories.
Abbas’ visit came a few days before a three-way meeting which is reportedly to be held in Washington at the end of this month to push ahead the Palestinian-Israeli talks.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said Wednesday the three-way meeting scheduled on July 30 will include Israel, Palestinians and U.S. officials, adding “then all the talks will be held in the region and will continue until a deal is reached.”
Although Abbas played down expectations of the three-way meeting, the Palestinian president voiced his hope to reach a peace deal with Israel by the end of 2008.
There are still six months to the deadline for a settlement “and that is sufficient time if intentions are sincere,” Abbas said.