Abbas Says There's ‘Complete Stalemate’ in Peace Process

President Mahmoud Abbas and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia on Tuesday (AFP)
President Mahmoud Abbas and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia on Tuesday (AFP)
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Abbas Says There's ‘Complete Stalemate’ in Peace Process

President Mahmoud Abbas and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia on Tuesday (AFP)
President Mahmoud Abbas and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades in Nicosia on Tuesday (AFP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas renewed his warning on Tuesday of taking the necessary legal measures to protect the interests of the Palestinian people and put an end to the Israeli occupation’s crimes, which have reached an unacceptable level.

“The current situation cannot be tolerated in light of the absence of a political horizon and international protection for the Palestinian people,” he said during a press conference with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades at the presidential palace in Nicosia.

Abbas said he informed his counterpart of the complete stalemate in efforts to reach a peaceful settlement to the Palestinian problem because the current government of Israel has suspended all agreements.

He stressed that the Palestinian leadership will continue contacts to mobilize international support to confront these dangerous challenges and to take deterrent measures to ensure an end to double standards.

At the same time, the Palestinian President said the leadership is ready to engage in any peace efforts and initiatives based on UN resolutions, leading to the establishment of peace, security, and stability for everyone in the region, and an end to the Israeli occupation of the state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Abbas arrived in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, on Monday on a three-day official visit upon the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart.

He met with a number of Arab ambassadors, to whom he explained the latest developments related to the Palestinian cause, and the ongoing Israeli attacks and crimes against the people, especially in Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Abbas also briefed the Arab diplomats on ongoing contacts and efforts to revive the peace process.

During his trip, Abbas also signed with the Cypriot side bilateral cooperation agreements in the field of diplomatic training, exchange of information on education programs, and the exchange of academics at conferences on topics of common interest.



UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
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UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP

The UN mission in Libya called for "immediate deescalation", citing reports of armed forces being mobilized in the capital and its surroundings that have raised fears of renewed violence.

In mid-May, there were clashes in Tripoli between forces loyal to the government and powerful armed groups wanting to dismantle it.

In a statement published late on Wednesday on X, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were "increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli", AFP reported.

It said it "strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes".

It called for all parties to "engage in good faith" in deescalation and for the "swift implementation of security arrangements" set out during efforts to end the May violence.

Those clashes left six people dead, the United Nations said.

"Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," UNSMIL said.

Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east.

In a TV interview on Monday, Dbeibah called for armed groups to vacate the areas under their control.

Among the sites held by armed factions are the Mitiga airport in the east of the capital, which is controlled by the powerful Radaa Force.

"Dialogue -- not violence -- remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya", the UNSMIL statement said.