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19 Dec, 2014

Palestinian President: Independent State by 2017

RAMALLAH, December 18, 2014 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday said the bid aims for the conduct of serious negotiations with Israel to put an end to the military occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state by the year 2017.

During a televised speech at the Palestinian leadership meeting, Abbas said the Palestinian bid for statehood in the international organization will prompt a one-year round of peace negotiations that will finally put an end to the Israeli occupation of the occupied territories.

He reiterated that the bid is part of the Palestinian political struggle for independence and statehood based on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital and a just solution for the issue of the refugees in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 194.

Abbas emphasized the need for Israel’s illegal settlement activities to stop. He said an international third party is required to monitor the security arrangements during the transitional period.

The president said the upcoming Palestinian bid in the UNSC is likely to call for launching an international conference aiming at reviving peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis.