RAMALLAH, August 11, 2011 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday told a delegation from the United States Senate and House of Representatives that he is seeking a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with Jerusalem as its capital, empty of settlements.

The delegation, led by Senator Steny Hoyer, is on an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territory.

Abbas reviewed Palestinian policy based on reaching a settlement for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution and the 1967 borders, which would lead to the establishment of the Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He said that the security of the upcoming Palestinian state will be the responsibility of a third party made of NATO forces with US command.

He stressed that the Palestinians’ first, second and third choice is to establish the Palestinian state through negotiations, stressing that settlements contradict with the peace process.

He added that going to the United Nations in September to seek recognition of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders does not contradict with the essence of the peace process.

He said it is not a unilateral measure and does not aim at isolating Israel or to delegitimize it, but aims at promoting the two-state solution and sends an encouraging message in the event that Israel’s intention to go back to negations is serious and supported by the international community.

Political advisor to President Abbas, Nimer Hammad, told WAFA after the meeting that “the delegation raised a number of questions concerning the Jewish state issue, the Palestinian refugees and Fatah and Hamas reconciliation, in which the president emphasized the known Palestinian stance concerning these issues.”

M.G./M.A.