RAMALLAH, May 31, 2007 (WAFA) - Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, said Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s statements that he wants continued military control in the West Bank in the event of any peace agreement are unacceptable and will not lead to peace.

“These statements perpetuate the causes of the ongoing conflict because peace and security will only be achieved by full Israeli withdrawal from all the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, especially East Jerusalem," Abu Rudeineh said.

"We will not accept any agreement that keeps any Israeli soldier on the land of the independent state of Palestine," he said.

"These demands are unacceptable conditions and they are a challenge to the international community. Israel is not serious in facilitating US-led peacemaking efforts," Abu Rudeineh said.

M.K.