Moussa : International Protection, legitimate right of Palestinians

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa received Belgian ambassador to Egypt Paul Ponjaert to discuss the European Union's role in the Middle East peace process.

Ponjaert, whose country holds the current EU presidency, said the EU plays an important role to find a solution to the stalled peace process.

On The forms of cooperation between Belgium and the Arab League, Ponjaert said there are eight Arab states that are holding partnership with Europe as part of European Mediterranean partnership.

There are lots of joint issues floated for discussion as part of the Barcelona Declaration.

On the possibility of the Belgian judiciary accepting to consider lawsuits filed against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for his involvement in the Sabra and Shatilla massacres, he said the Belgian judiciary is independent and it is the only party that can decide on the issue.

Moreover, Moussa stressed that providing international protection was a legitimate right of the Palestinians.

Moussa said the past few months proved that the Palestinians were in bad need of protection and of observers to monitor Israeli acts.

Asked about appointing some commissioners to work for the Arab League on certain assignments, Moussa said this issue is linked to re-structuring the Arab League.

He said he will meet with Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi within the coming few days to talk about this issue.

As for appointing a deputy for the Arab league Chief he said these are mere ideas.

Moussa denied that a number of Arab League employees have been laid off. He said the employment policy inside the Arab League will be re-considered but this does not mean that any one will be laid off.