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Arab FMs reaffirm Arab peace initiative basis for Mideast peace

CAIRO, April 21 (KUNA) -- Arab Foreign Ministers said Sunday they would not accept any plan or agreement contradicting with the 2002 Arab peace initiative, which was based on international law, UN resolutions and land-for-peace principle.
The top diplomats said any agreement failing to honor Arab peace initiative "will not succeed in achieving lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East nor guarantee rights of the Palestinian people.
Those rights, they said, were self-determination, establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, return of refugees, compensations and release of prisoners.
This came in a final statement following an urgent one-day meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers over political and financial aspects of the Palestinian issue.
They called for protection of occupied East Jerusalem, the capital of State of Palestine, and maintaining its Arab and religious identity in the face of the Israeli plans to change this status.
They urged the international community to implement UN Security Council's resolution over illegality of Jewish settlements, protecting Palestinian civilians and securing funding for Palestinians.
They reiterated commitment to contribute USD 100 million per month for the budget of the Palestine state in order to address political and financial pressure.
The foreign ministers called on the Palestinian factions to accomplish national conciliation and enable the government to exercise duties in Gaza Strip and hold elections.
Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hussam Zaki, at a news conference following the meeting, said the foreign ministers reaffirmed backing to the Palestinian people and their cause.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the meeting earlier, called for a secure funding to enable them address grave challenges, which included relations with Israel and with the US, as well as relations with Hamas.
He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not believe in peace and has violated all peace agreements.
Abbas said the Israelis would not withdraw from the Palestinian lands because of the American recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. (pickup previous) mfm.esm.bs