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Abbas calls for more world support for Palestinians

DOHA, Jun 15, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX)

  • Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called here Wednesday on the international community to provide more support to the Palestinian people, particularly under the current crucial situation.

While addressing the second summit of the Group of 77 (G77) plus China, which kicked off in the Qatar's capital earlier in the day, Abbas expected the international support for the Palestinian people to render the democratic process in the territories a success.

He also called for lifting Israeli restrictions on the Palestinian people and their lands, removing barriers in the territories, freeing all detainees in Israeli jails and an Israeli withdrawal to the borders before Sept. 28, 2000, which marked the start of the latest Palestinian-Israeli conflict that has lasted for almost five years.

Abbas, who was elected Palestinian president in January this year on a platform to restart peace talks with Israel, also stressed the necessity to carry out the understandings reached with Israel at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in February.

The Palestinian leader believed it is necessary to continue coordination between the the Group of 77 (G77) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on their joint objectives.

The second summit of the G77 plus China kicked off here Wednesday to focus on ways to promote South-South cooperation in addition to South-North ties and UN reform.

The two-day summit, also known as the second South Summit, is attended by 32 heads of state, in addition to prime ministers, foreign ministers and senior officials of over 130 member states.