Russia Says Abbas' Resignation Impedes Mideast Peace Process

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, September 07, 2003

Russia Says Abbas' Resignation Impedes Mideast Peace Process

Russia said Saturday that the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas "would seriously impede efforts to overcome the crisis in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement process."

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Russia said Saturday that the resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas "would seriously impede efforts to overcome the crisis in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement process."

Expressing Russia's concern over the resignation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko pointed out in a statement that the move would also hinder the resumption of the Road Map, developed by the Quartet international mediators, according to Interfax news agency.

"Naturally, it is only the Palestinians themselves and the leadership of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) who must decide what kind of government they need," Yakovenko stressed.

However, it is important to take into account that the current Palestinian cabinet enjoys wide international support as well as global hopes for progress in the stabilization of the situation inthat region, the spokesman was quoted as saying.

Yakovenko called for efforts to overcome disagreements within the PNA based on consensus of how to implement the provisions of the Road Map, which is nowadays seen as the sole formula for the solution of the Palestinian problem.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Saturday accepted Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas' resignation, which was tendered at midday on Saturday ahead of a close-door session of the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Abbas and Arafat have been involved in a power struggle for security control. Abbas' move is widely viewed as his final play of pressure to win more authority from Arafat and a heavy blow to a US-sponsored road map plan for Mideast peace.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Arafat Officially Accepts Abbas's Resignation,Yassin Wounded in Israeli Missile Attack

Russian Mideast Envoy Urges Implementation of Peace Plan

Why Japanese PM Proposes Amending Constitution Now ( 41 Messages)

Who's Going to Close "the Gate of Hell"? ( 18 Messages)

US Circulates New Draft Resolution on Iraq ( 2 Messages)

RMB Should Not Be Lumped Together with US General Election: Commentary ( 7 Messages)

When will the Immolation between the Jews and the Arabs Come to an End? ( 7 Messages)