10/9/2010Arab seeking UNSC''s recognition of Palestinian state not considered - Minister
SIRTE, Libya, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit said Saturday that seeking UN Security Council's recognition of independent Palestinian state is not considered currently because it is preferable to give the US opportunity to continue with its efforts to get Israel to freeze settlement activities.
Abul Gheit told reporters after the Arab League follow-up committee ended its emergency meeting in Sirte, noting that if these efforts were successful the Palestinians will return to the negotiation table and things will move rapidly, however if not the follow-up committee will convene and assess the situation.
The minister said the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will present and come forward with his options, which he discussed and asked not to announce last night in the Arab peace initiative preparation committee meeting.
Abul Gheit added that President Abbas has submitted a number of alternative options if direct negotiations were to fail, adding that right now is not the time to discuss such options.
"We don't want to discuss these alternatives now, and we prefer to wait one month until the follow-up committee holds another meeting to see what developments emerge," Al-Gheit said.
In response to Gaza blockade, the Egyptian minister said "radical solutions such as mobilizing armies and declaring war are not being considered" to free Gaza of its blockade.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2116607&Language=en
