By IRNA,
Berlin : The head of the Arab League Amr Moussa warned against western efforts to hinder the Palestinian reconciliation process.
Speaking at a news conference at the end of a one-day Palestinian security conference at the German Foreign Ministry, Moussa stressed that Palestinian reconciliation had to be “encouraged by the international community and not blocked by any power.”
He was alluding to US attempts to torpedo the ongoing rapprochement between the Palestinian Fatah organization and Palestine’s Islamic Hamas resistance.
Moussa’s comments followed an earlier harsh verbal exchange between the Arab League official and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over recognition of Hamas.
Rice caused a major uproar at the opening session of the German- sponsored Palestine security confab by interrupting Moussa’s inaugural speech after the Arab League official called for a international policy change towards Hamas.
The top American diplomat reaffirmed her hardline stance vis-a-vis Hamas while citing repeated western demands for a recognition of Palestine’s Islamic resistance.
Moussa lambasted also US and Israeli-led policies to press ahead with the continued isolation of Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Arab League chief made clear that western plans to boost Palestinian security and rule of law in the Palestinian areas run by the Palestinian Authority were “not eyed to make the Israeli occupation easier.”
The objective is to make “life better for people under occupation, Moussa added.
He strongly opposed the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, branding it a “very dangerous policy”.
Moussa urged the world community “not to lose sight of the foreign (Israeli) military occupation” of the Palestinian territories.
Leading political representatives from 41 states, including 23 foreign ministers, took part in the meeting at the German Foreign Ministry dubbed ‘The Palestine Security Conference’.
Talks dwelt on rebuilding a functioning Palestinian law enforcement and judicial system.