LOC15:21
12:21 GMT
KUWAIT, Jan 19 (KUNA) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Monday on Palestinian factions to overcome their differences and to meet under Egyptian sponsorship.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Arab Economic Summit, he said the Palestinians were invited to meet in Egypt "to reach an agreement after hours of discussion ... If the bloodshed in Gaza is not enough for us to agree, then what will the time come?" Abbas said that should an agreement be reached, and he hoped this would be secured, then what was needed was a unity government that worked to end Israeli violence, lift the siege on Gaza and open its crossings, and hold elections.
He also hoped that Arabs would be able to rise over their difference, saying that the situation in Gaza had opened the door for "a war of doubt" and settling scores.
"I hope that Arabs will rise above their differences ... and move to agree on what can be done and not divide over the impossible," he said.
Abbas said that there were three options for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: no war or peace; war; or peace "and this is our choice." He said the Arab peace initiative was not lacking, but that it was the insufficient support that had caused it to falter.
He added that the summit was no longer an economic event, but a summit for all Arabs to discuss the Palestinian issue and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. (end) kt KUNA 191521 Jan 09NNNN