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Arab League chief urges world to embrace Abbas' initiative

CAIRO, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmad Abul-Gheit on Wednesday appealed to the international community to respond positively to the peace initiative announced by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an address the United Nations Security Council.
"Abu Mazen has proposed a clear and practical plan to end the conflict and achieve security for both the Palestinian and Israeli sides through an international and multi-lateral mechanism," Abul-Gheit said.
He praised Abbas' initiative as rational, reflecting his keenness on adhering to negotiations as the sole avenue to to end occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state.
The Palestinian president initiative is not designed to provoke any party; rather it implies real desire to hold the international community and the influential powers responsible to resolve the strike which has dragged on for a long time.
Abul-Gheit said he shared Abbas the call for holding an international convention by middle of this tear to settle the conflict.
Such a conference, he says, should be marked with accepting Palestine as member in the UN, mutual recognition by Palestine and Israel and establishing a multi-party commission to help the two sides resolve sticking issues, according to timetables. (end) mfm.rk