Arab Follow-Up Committee cautions against Israeli acts of deception
Regional-Israel, Politics, 1/13/2001

The Arab Follow-up Committee, churned out by the latest summit in Cairo, warned on Thursday against the Israeli attempts to circumvent the international resolutions and create new of reference.

The foreign ministerial committee, which comprises eight countries in addition to the Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdel Maguid, started meetings in Tunis on Wednesday to examine the extent of implementing the resolutions of the summit.

The committee stressed the necessity to abide by the international resolutions 242 and 338 and Madrid terms of reference and the land-for-peace formula as basis for establishing peace in the Middle East.

In a statement issued at the end of its meetings on Thursday, the committee demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories back to June 4, 1967 borderlines.

The statement emphasized the Arab determination to carry on with endeavors at the regional and international levels to rally support for the Arab stance in the face of the Israeli escalating acts of aggressions extend and threats to the military confrontations so as to involve also Syria and Lebanon.

The committee urged the international community to speed up providing protection for the Palestinian people, who have been facing an Israeli genocide.

It demanded the international fact-finding committee to accelerate its job and submit its report on its findings.

The committee empowered Esmat Abdel Maguid the Arab League Secertary General to contact signatories to the Geneva Fourth Convention, on the protection of civilians at times of war, to respond to the invitation of Switzerland for holding an immediate meeting to discuss the application of the convention to the Palestinian people.

The Arab Follow-up Committee said a comprehensive peace would be impossible to materialize with Israel's weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and denying the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of refugees to return to their homeland and restore their property.

The foreign ministers of the eight Arab countries called on the international community to back Lebanon's request to extend the mission of the UN International Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) without decreasing the number, or limiting the scope of performance of its personnel.

Moussa, Abdel Maguid hold joint press conference

In a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdel-Maguid, held at Tunis Airport prior to their departure, Moussa said that the committee will resume its periodic monthly meeting after the next summit.

"The situation in the Palestinian territories and the current developments on both regional and international arenas were discussed in the meeting held in the Tunisian capital," Moussa added.

Moussa elaborated that the US proposals were not put on the meeting's agenda, but were discussed Wednesday night though.

"The commission was apprised on the Palestinian stand and the clarification floated by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on these proposals," Moussa pointed out.

He stressed that the United States, in its capacity as one of the Middle East peace process sponsors, be it the incumbent Clinton Administration or the upcoming Bush Administration, should undertake a firm and impartial role to render the peace process a success.

Addressing the same press conference, Abdel Maguid urged Arab countries to expedite paying their contributions to two pro-Palestinian funds set up by Arab leaders during their October 21-22 summit in Cairo.

He added that an assistant Arab League secretary-general would contact the Islamic Bank for Development over an upcoming meeting to ensure the quick delivery of money to Palestinians.

The bank plans an office to receive requests on the Palestinian Authority's requirements, according to Middle East News Agency (MENA).

The office will also be instructed by the bank to finance these requirements, a step aimed at expediting the delivery of money to be provided by the LE 1 billion funds launched by the Arab summit.

Previous Stories:
  Arab follow up committee refuses the American proposals   (1/5/2001)
  Sheikh al-Qerdawi calls for boycotting Israel   (12/23/2000)
  Damascus meeting condemns Israel practices against the Palestinians   (12/12/2000)

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