Abbas Calls for Int’l Coalition Against Annexation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo
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Abbas Calls for Int’l Coalition Against Annexation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank on May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman/File Photo

Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary-General Saeb Erekat said that President Mahmoud Abbas instructed the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, to propose to the UN General Assembly the formation of an international coalition against Israeli annexation plans.

Abbas also demanded that an upcoming UN Security Council session be held at the level of foreign ministers instead of the representatives.

The Council will meet on June 24 to discuss Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

Erekat stated that the recent standpoints of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, Russia and China are clear signs that Palestine has been able to gather an international coalition in support of its cause.

"It's necessary to provide an urgent Arab financial aid to help the Palestinian Authority’s treasury overcome the current difficult conditions," Erekat added.

The US wants the annexation plan to be part of the “Deal of the Century” announced by US President Donald Trump, while other countries fully reject the move.

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman met Thursday Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to structure an annexation plan that is acceptable by the US administration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

Another meeting is scheduled Sunday in the attendance of Ashkenazi, Gantz, Friedman, Netanyahu, and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin.

Likud Minister Tzachi Hanegbi has warned that trouble would surface if Trump backed off from the plan.

Hanegbi stressed that this is the right time to implement the plan.



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)

Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that Beirut was still committed to the agreement reached with US envoy Amos Hochstein on a path that leads to a ceasefire with Israel and implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he categorically rejected tying the ceasefire to the presidential election in Lebanon.

“No one has anything to do with the election of a president and no one has the right to interfere in this issue. This is a sovereign affair,” he stressed.

“Even though we welcome any initiative to help us, we reject any meddling or dictates,” he added.

Berri held a series of meetings with various officials, including visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army commander Jean Qahwaji.

“We informed the French minister of Lebanon’s position that is committed to a ceasefire and the immediate implementation of resolution 1701 in line with the agreement reached with the US envoy,” Berri said.

He revealed that he is in contact with Hezbollah and that its views “are not far off from our position.”

“I had previously made this initiative and had reached an agreement on it with Hassan Nasrallah. This agreement still stands,” he stated.

During his meeting with Barrot, Berri expressed his gratitude to France and President Emmanuel Macron on their “keenness and support to Lebanon, especially during this critical time with the ongoing Israeli attacks and siege that are preventing it from sending humanitarian aid to the displaced.”