US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan
TT

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

US Encourages Direct Negotiations Between Palestinians, Israelis on Peace Plan

The US State Department Regional Spokesperson, Erica Chiusano, said that Washington was ready to support direct dialogue between Palestinian and Arab leaderships - who opposed the US peace plan, known as the “deal of the century” - and Israeli officials.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Chiusano noted that the proposed US vision of peace offered a realistic solution based on the establishment of two states and provided a verifiable path that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, in which the legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine to independence, autonomy, and national dignity would be achieved through a peace agreement with Israel.

“We ask the Palestinian leadership to get to know the details of this vision of peace, and to study it fully,” she stated.

She noted that if Palestinians had fears about parts of the plan, the US would encourage them to contribute to direct negotiations with the Israelis and express their specific objections at the negotiating table.

Chuisano stressed that the absolute rejection of the plan would only perpetuate the desperate status quo and would not help shape the optimal solution that the world would offer to the generations of Israelis and Palestinians, who have been suffering for decades because of this ongoing conflict.

The US spokesperson went on to say that her country has provided “the best and most realistic solution” for the parties, adding that it was now up to the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to discuss and negotiate the basis of that vision.

“The United States is ready to provide broad assistance to facilitate a final peace agreement,” she emphasized.

On Iran, Chuisano highlighted the continued US policy of maximum pressure campaign, based on economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and military deterrence.

The United States has withheld the funds of the Iranian regime used to finance terrorism, and it targets sources of export revenue that Tehran may use to finance and support its nuclear program, to develop missiles, and to fund its terrorist proxies, as well as its malicious regional influence, she affirmed.



Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Siddiq al-Mahdi, Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to Sudanese citizens suffering from the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Addis Ababa, al-Mahdi criticized the National Congress Party for manipulating its alliance with the military to advance its political goals.

Al-Mahdi said he would only engage in the political process if the party ends its connection with the military and security forces.

He highlighted a growing recognition of the need to end the war, noting a shift away from military solutions as a positive sign of Sudanese public opinion converging on the need for peace.

The Taqaddum official said this change has reduced support for the war and increased regional and international calls for its end.

Al-Mahdi warned that the war has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and poses threats to the region, neighboring countries, the Horn of Africa, and Red Sea security.

“The need to stop the war is now urgent, and we must act on this,” he said.

He praised international efforts, including the Paris and Cairo conferences and the UN's attempts to bring the warring sides together in Geneva for aid and protection.

Al-Mahdi also revealed that his coalition had proposed a plan to the military and Rapid Support Forces, focusing on humanitarian aid, political arrangements to end the war, and a transition to civilian democracy.

He stressed that the humanitarian situation cannot wait for the war to end.

“Providing aid and protecting citizens are urgent priorities. We need to act now to deliver aid, even before the war ends,” he said.

He noted that the best approach involves coordinating initiatives from various platforms, including Jeddah, IGAD, and its key member states Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations.

Al-Mahdi emphasized that all these entities are working on humanitarian and peace efforts.

He stated that any alignment among mediators, conflict parties, and civil components is viewed by Taqaddum as a comprehensive process for achieving peace.