Arafat: Explosions of Haifa and Tiberias not to hamper peace process

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat confirmed that the explosions in Tiberias and Haifa will not obstruct the peace process from the Palestinian side, expressing his belief that the Israeli stance will be the same.

In his statement issued yesterday to the Saudi newspaper Okaz, Arafat said, "We are waiting for meetings between the two sides to control the results of the two explosions and to move forward in what was reached in Sharm El-Sheikh."

Moreover, the Palestinian president said the commitment of everyone to implement the signed agreements is what is required in this phase to evade the obstacle of the two explosions, confirming the Palestinian concern without giving the Israeli any excuse to abstain from implementing the agreements.

He pointed out that the terrorist incidents in the past didn't hamper the peace process, furthermore, "It will not prevent us is the future because peace is a strategic decision of no return."

Yet, in his statement Okaz, president Arafat refused to specify the front that committed the two explosions.