Palestinian PM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Extend Our Hand to Trump to Engage in Serious Peace

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa with President Mahmoud Abbas (Reuters)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa with President Mahmoud Abbas (Reuters)
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Palestinian PM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Extend Our Hand to Trump to Engage in Serious Peace

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa with President Mahmoud Abbas (Reuters)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa with President Mahmoud Abbas (Reuters)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa described the ministerial committee established by last year’s Arab-Islamic Joint Summit as “the most successful committee” in the history of Arab and Islamic high-level meetings.
“Some decisions are made but not always implemented; however, this committee has maintained continuous activity and positive engagement both regionally and internationally since its formation,” he stated.
Mustafa emphasized that the committee recognized the need to re-evaluate the regional situation and work toward exceptional decisions, building on the momentum generated by the previous summit. He also praised Saudi Arabia’s initiative in calling for a second meeting within the same year.
Asharq Al-Awsat met with the Palestinian prime minister following his participation in the ministerial meeting held ahead of the summit on Sunday. In the interview, Mustafa described the discussions surrounding the draft resolution as “promising.” He highlighted the ministerial committee’s notable success in advancing international recognition of the State of Palestine by several countries.
In this context, he pointed to the launch of the International Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution, led by Saudi Arabia on behalf of the ministerial committee and in partnership with the European Union. He also commended Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan for his leadership of the committee.
The premier urged the United States and the global community to “deliver justice to the Palestinian people.” He expressed hope that Trump, in his second term, would approach the issue with “fresh perspectives,” considering the impact of the conflict on regional and global stability. He hoped the new US administration would “honor the region’s desire for peace and stability.”
“We extend our hand to Trump to engage in serious peace,” he stated.
Mustafa called on the United States to press Israel “more seriously and with stronger measures to halt the war and respond to international calls.” He argued that Israel lacks genuine commitment to reaching a ceasefire and shows disregard for the humanitarian crisis and regional instability, voicing disappointment over reports of stalled truce negotiations in Gaza.
He also expressed optimism that efforts to achieve a ceasefire, especially those led by Egypt and Qatar, would continue, but he also called for greater international pressure to persuade Israel to end the war, which is causing “50 to 100 deaths daily in Gaza.”
The prime minister affirmed that implementing a two-state solution requires establishing a Palestinian state with full independence and sovereignty, as the other state (Israel) already exists.
He underscored the importance of “reuniting the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza to unify institutions, resources, geography, and political decisions in preparation for establishing an independent state.”
Mustafa confirmed that 149 countries currently recognize Palestine. He revealed that discussions are underway with several other countries, including Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, and the UK, through both Riyadh Summit Committee and bilateral channels.
Regarding the ministerial committee formed by last year’s Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Joint Summit in Riyadh, Mustafa praised the Saudi Foreign Minister for his leadership, commitment, and dedication to the Palestinian cause, which he said is evident in the committee’s work.
He added that the committee now addresses multiple issues beyond a single agenda item, including the international recognition of a Palestinian state, noting that the participation of around 90 countries and international organizations in the first meeting in Riyadh not only highlights the significance of the Palestinian issue but also reflects Saudi Arabia’s influential role in championing and supporting the Palestinian cause.
On Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Minister chaired the preparatory ministerial meeting for the Arab-Islamic Follow-Up Summit, scheduled for Monday. The meeting included discussions on the summit’s agenda and key issues up for deliberation.

 



Pedersen Says ‘Extremely Critical’ to Avoid Syria Being Dragged into War in Region

UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus on Sunday. (Syrian Foreign Ministry)
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus on Sunday. (Syrian Foreign Ministry)
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Pedersen Says ‘Extremely Critical’ to Avoid Syria Being Dragged into War in Region

UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus on Sunday. (Syrian Foreign Ministry)
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus on Sunday. (Syrian Foreign Ministry)

The UN special envoy for Syria said on Sunday that it was “extremely critical” to end the fighting in Lebanon and Gaza to avoid the country being pulled into a regional war.

“We need now to make sure that we have immediately a ceasefire in Gaza, that we have a ceasefire in Lebanon, and that we avoid Syria being dragged even further into the conflict,” said Geir Pedersen ahead of a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has not released any details about the Pedersen-Sabbagh meeting. It only issued a brief statement in which it announced the meeting.

Local sources said Pedersen's second visit to Damascus this year is aimed at exploring the possibility of resuming the Constitutional Committee meetings aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis.

The meetings have been stalled since the eighth round on February 22, 2022, due to a dispute over the venue of the reconvening of the Constitutional Committee. Russia, which is not satisfied with Switzerland's joining Western sanctions against Moscow because of the Ukraine war, refuses to hold it in Geneva.

“Pedersen is holding talks with Syrian officials in Damascus, where he arrived last Wednesday, about the possibility of resuming the Constitutional Committee meetings,” reported Syria’s Al-Watan newspaper.

Earlier this month, Russian presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev told TASS: “As you know, only one venue - Geneva - is still unacceptable for the Russian side. As for all others, we are ready to work there.”

He added: “Probably, there is an open option with Baghdad, which, regrettably, was rejected by the Syrian opposition. It refused from this venue because Baghdad is supporting Damascus. They don’t think that Iraq is a neutral venue.”

The Russian diplomat stressed that the committee’s work should be resumed as soon as possible, but, in his words, it takes a lot of effort to find a venue that would be acceptable for both Damascus and the Syrian opposition.

Israel has been conducting airstrikes in Syria against government forces, Iranian troops and Hezbollah targets since the eruption of the crisis there in 2011. Strikes have increased following the Israeli war on Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.

On Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the death toll of the Israeli airstrikes on Palmyra city on November 20 continues to increase with many people suffering from severe injuries.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the death of three Syrians and two non-Syrian members of Iranian-backed militias, bringing the number of fatalities to 105.