Peres: Establishment of Palestinian state is inevitable

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres has asserted that the establishment of a Palestinian state is an inevitable matter which will be achieved very soon in the interests of the two sides.

In a statement to the French weekly "Le Journale de Dimanche" Peres said, "I do not like to think of the possibility of Arafat's disappearance," adding that there is a group of people around Arafat who will continue the peace process.

On recent changes in Jordan's leadership, Peres indicated that there is a good chance that Crown Prince Abdullah will continue his father's policy. "Such a policy is a Jordanian tradition. It is in the interests of the Jordanians. It is difficult to think of the Jordanian King to pursue another policy," he said.