Algiers : President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas has reiterated his resolve to bid at the UN for full recognition for Palestine.
“Our state’s bid at the UN Security Council (UNSC) aims at claiming our independent state (based) on 1967 border with Jerusalem as capital,” Abbas told a conference held Tuesday at the Algerian foreign ministry, Xinhua reported Wednesday.
The Palestinian president’s speech wrapped up his three-day visit to Algeria, and was devoted to outline the latest developments in the Palestinian cause.
The conference was attended by senior officials and diplomats of the two countries, in addition to ambassadors of some Arab and Muslim nations accredited in Algeria.
Abbas hailed the recognition of the state of Palestine by several European states and parliaments, including Sweden and the EU Parliament, saying he was glad to see “several nations and parliaments in Europe in particular voting with large majority for the recognition of the state of Palestine”.
The Palestinian top official further slammed the Israeli expansionist policy in the West Bank, saying “Israel implements an apartheid policy against us, just like the apartheid that used to exist in South Africa”.
He added that Palestine aimed at joining a couple of international organisations and courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Abbas said that Israel was still avoiding implementing the different peace agreements that have been signed so far, and thus “it hinders the peace process”.
He said that the priority for now was the reconstruction of Gaza Strip which endured a 50-day raid by Israeli forces last summer.
Abbas’s visit to Algeria was aimed to discuss with top officials of the North African country the latest developments of the Palestinian issue, as well as to look for ways to mobilise more support of the Arab world and the international community in general to the right of the Palestinian people to establishing their independent state.
The two sides also agreed to establish a bilateral ministerial committee to boost cooperation.