Palestinian Authority won't trade in national principles -- PM

RAMALLAH, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah emphasized on Saturday the Palestinian Authority would remain firm against bids to make it swap national principles "for political money." The Palestinian Government is seeking to rely on its resources in shadow of dwindling external aid, said the prime minister in a statement during a ceremony inaugurating a water pipeline near Tobas town in the West Bank.
Re-affirming that the authority will not exchange national principles for money, the premier has underscored necessity for re-establishing national unity to press ahead with development and re-activating the government institutions.
The government must be in full control of the checkpoints, he said, also calling for empowering the judiciary to function in Gaza in addition to allowing civil servants resume working in the strip.
He confirmed that Brussels would host an international conference on 20th of next month to secure funding for building the central water desalination plant in Gaza -- projected construction cost is in the range of USD 659 million.
This venture will be the largest of its kind in the region and will salvage Gaza from "a humanitarian catastrophe," he said alluding to several water shortage in the strip. (end) nq.rk