LOC18:09
15:09 GMT
CAIRO, Jan 2 (KUNA) -- The 85th conference of the administrators of
Palestinian refugees' affairs kick-started at the Arab League here on Sunday,
focusing on several relevant issues.
The three-day meeting is expected to focus on mounting Israeli violations
in the occupied Palestinian territories, chiefly in the holy city of Jerusalem.
Speakers at the opening session called on Arab countries to provide more
financial support for improving the conditions of Palestinian refugees and
easing out their sufferings and pains.
The head of the Palestinian delegation, Zakaria Alagha, warned of the
negative impacts of UNRWA's reduced budget on the conditions of Palestinian
refugees in host countries.
He urged host countries and UNRWA to increase their assistance to
Palestinian refugees, believing that the issue of Palestinian refugees is the
core of the conflict and the key to peace in the region.
He reiterated the Palestinian leadership's opposition to suggestions by
some western countries for the settlement of Palestinian refugees in their
host countries or other nations.
For his part, Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League for Palestine
Affairs Mohammad Subeeh said the gathering will reflect on key dossiers under
hard circumstances suffered by Palestinian refugees and even all the
Palestinian people as a result of Israeli malpractices and violations.
He stressed the significance of commitment to Palestinian constants and the
Arab peace initiative, calling on Arab countries to reconsider the way they
deal with Israel, which is opposed to ongoing efforts to put an end to the
Arab-Israeli conflict.
He also blasted Washington for failing to put enough pressure on Israel to
recognize a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 border.
The conference gathers representatives of the countries hosting Palestinian
refugees, namely Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, as well as the Palestinian
National Authority (PNA), the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the
Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO). (end)
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