Algerian president calls for Israel's withdrawal from Arab lands

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria on Tuesday called for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan and south Lebanon, and the recognition of the national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish a Palestinian state.

In an interview with the Lebanese Future Television, the Algerian president said: "If Israel seeks peace it has to withdraw from the occupied Golan heights and South Lebanon and to recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their own independent state on the ground of what was agreed on in Madrid." He continued that Israel must admit Syria's sovereignty over the Golan and Lebanon's sovereignty over its south and to evacuate the lands unconditionally.

Replying to a question asked by the Lebanese television, the Algerian president voiced his country's backing for Lebanon in its efforts to restore its occupied lands.

Meanwhile, in a statement he made to the French Press Club, "Europe 1," the Algerian President said: "Unless Israel admits Arab sovereignty over the occupied lands, no normalization of relations will take place with it."