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Arafat Arrives in S. Africa for Talks on Middle East Conflicts
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat arrived in South Africa on Wednesday for talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki on the Palestine issue and Middle East conflicts.
Arafat will also attend a meeting of the Committee on Palestine of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Thursday. The meeting will deliberate on how best the NAM could contribute to the cessation of the violence in the Middle East.
Upon arrival in Pretoria, Arafat said that South Africa, currently chairing the NAM, has "a very important role" to play in peace efforts in the Middle East.
Defusing the current impasse between the Israelis and Palestinians would "not be easy, but we are trying our best", he said, while accusing Israel of being bent on escalating its military activities.
He said he is hopeful that Mbeki could contribute to bringing an end to the conflict.
Asked if he would ask former President Nelson Mandela to assist, Arafat said: "I am going to visit him to discuss the detail and this point." Arafat is to meet Mbeki at the Union Buildings in Pretoria later on Wednesday.
The NAM Committee on Palestine, set up in 1983, comprises representatives of Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Palestine, Senegal Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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