CAIRO, November 23, 2017 (WAFA) – Palestinian factions meeting in Cairo called on Wednesday on the Central Elections Commission to prepare for holding presidential and legislative elections in the occupied Palestinian territory as well as elections for the Palestinian National Council, the parliament in exile, no later than the end of 2018.
They authorized President Mahmoud Abbas to set the election date after consultation with national and political powers and actors.
After two days of talks in Cairo under the auspice of Egypt, the factions stressed the need for accurate implementation of the Egyptian-brokered Palestinian national reconciliation deal reached by Fatah and Hamas movements on October 12, emphasizing the need for the government to assume its full responsibilities in the Gaza Strip as stated in the reconciliation agreement.
The Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, have met in Cairo to discuss ways of implementing the reconciliation deal and resolve other outstanding issues, mainly elections and security, in order to end their decade-long political rift.
On the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the factions stressed the need to accelerate steps of developing and activating the PLO in accordance with the Cairo Declaration in 2005.
The factions have also asked the parliamentary blocs and lists of the Legislative Council to implement what has been agreed upon and resume their sessions and activities.
They have condemned the US administration‘s recent decision not to renew the work permit of the PLO office in Washington; a move they described an attempt to exert pressure on the Palestinian leadership to submit the Palestinians to the US dictates, especially after leaks of a regional solution consistent with the plans of the Israeli occupation authority.
The political parties rejected any transitional solutions and the so-called “state with temporary borders” and refused to recognize Israel as “Jewish state” and any other political plans that are meant to undermine the Palestinian rights.
A.D./M.K.
