RAMALLAH, Saturday, July 20, 2019 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated today his firm opposition to what has become known as the “deal of the century” or the US peace plan.

During a meeting of the Fatah Central Committee in Ramallah, he said, “Our position in the past is our position now and has not changed: We will not accept the deal of the century and will not accept the Manama Workshop,” he said in reference to the Manama Workshop held earlier this month under US patronage in Bahrain.

On Israel’s withholding of the Palestinian tax revenues, Abbas said the Palestinian leadership will not accept the revenues if it was not paid in full – a matter that has been underscored by the president during the past few months.

Meanwhile, the President condemned the recent Israeli excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem, saying “The excavations taking place in the occupied city of Jerusalem are a very serious issue, and we must not allow the Israelis to continue to tamper with the eternal capital of Palestine.”

He said a couple of issues will be discussed during the Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting in Ramallah today, on top of which are the recent events in Lebanon in the aftermath of the Lebanese Minister of Labor’s decisions against companies hiring Palestinian workers.

“We do not want any tensions or escalation with the Lebanese, and we want to foil any attempt by anyone who wants to destroy the excellent relationship between us and our brothers in Lebanon,” he remarked.

The President added that the Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting will also discuss the recent official visits of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh to Jordan and Iraq and the outcomes of those visits.

M.N