Abbas in Doha to Discuss Peace Prospects Ahead of Arab Summit

The Qatari-Palestinian relations are based on a long history of mutual trust, respect and collaboration in addition to cooperation and coordination on issues of common concern, especially the Palestinian Cause which has always topped the agendas of bilateral meetings between the leaderships of the two countries. 
The forthoming official visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas  to Doha and his meeting with HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, come within the framework of discussing peace and stability opportunities. 
In their remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), politicians and diplomats highlighted the importance of the visit and its timing ahead of the Arab summit scheduled in the Jordanian capital Amman in the period between 23-29 March, stressing the importance of taking advantage of the period , under stage of  the new US administration, to activate the Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives. 
Secretary-General of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat told QNA that President Abbas's visit to Qatar occurs in a very important time ahead of the Arab summit, as part of the inevitability of coordination and consultation between the Qatari and Palestinian leaderships on issues of common concern, particularly the Palestinian Cause, in light of the continued Israeli abusive practices and its imposing a fait accompli policy. 
Besides discussing bilateral relations, the visit is expected to address a number of issues such as strengthening prospects for peace, stability and security, in addition to supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the face of occupation and regional issues in light of the successive developments in the region and under stage of  the new US administration Erekat added. 
In this context, Erekat noted the importance of appointing Jason Greenblatt as US Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process, who met with the Palestinian president in order to build confidence between the Israeli and Palestinian sides a prelude to any future solutions, in an encouraging atmosphere. 
Erekat expressed the gratitude of the Palestinian leadership to the State of Qatar for its continued economic and humanitarian support to Palestine as well as for the political positions supporting the rights of the Palestinian people in all Arab, regional and international forums.
The PLO Secretary-General stressed that the meeting between the Qatari and Palestinian leadership is consistent with Palestinian constants, including the Arab peace initiative, holding to the two-state solution on the basis of 1967 borders, the importance of a just solution to the issues of refugees, the release of prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons, the implementation of international laws regarding the necessity to stop settlement activity, the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem and the importance of halting Israel's arbitrary practices of executions, ethnic cleansing, displacement, settlement and Judaization, confiscation of rights and collective punishment. 
Secretary-General of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat pointed to the importance of taking advantage of the opportunity of the new US administration to put pressure on Israel which tries to destroy the two-state solution through pursuing arbitrary practices. 
He said that peace can not be achieved under occupation, and that it can only be realized through the independence of Palestine on the borders of 67 state with its capital in East Jerusalem, according to the relevant international legitimacy resolutions. 
For his part, Palestine's Ambassador to the State of Qatar Munir Ghannam said in his remarks to (QNA) that the official visit of Palestinian president to Qatar comes within the context of the ongoing consultation and coordination between the Qatari and the Palestinian leaderships noting that coordination between the two leaderships is a continuous positive approach that reflects consensus about the Arab, regional and international issues. 
He pointed to the importance of the visit timing coinciding with the developments in the region and the escalation of the Israeli imperialism in the occupied territories. 
The Palestinian Cause has topped the priorities of the Qatari leadership, which spared no effort in assisting the Palestinian people, he added. 
He said that Qatar is keen to help unify the Palestinian positions in the face of all the schemes carried by the Israeli occupation to seize Palestinian land and the violation of the rights of the Palestinian people. 
Ambassador Ghannam lauded the Qatari role in strengthening the Palestinian People's ability to withstand the Israeli plans in all fields, particularly in the framework of reconstruction projects and humanitarian support in all the Palestinian territories.

Source: QNA