London: President Mahmoud Abbas convened with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in London to address the ongoing developments in the occupied Palestinian territory and to discuss the bilateral relations between Palestine and the United Kingdom.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, President Abbas expressed gratitude for the British government’s positions, particularly its efforts toward a permanent ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and opposing colonial settlement activity and violence from settlers. He commended the United Kingdom’s active role in promoting the two-state solution and acknowledged its historic intention to recognize the State of Palestine before the forthcoming International Peace Conference in New York, which he described as a pivotal move toward rectifying historical injustices.
The discussions also focused on Palestinian priorities, including achieving an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, securing unhindered humanitarian aid access, releasing hostages and prisoners, withdrawing occupation forces, and initiating reconstruction efforts. President Abbas reiterated that Gaza is an integral part of Palestine and emphasized that Palestine would assume full governance in the region, supported by Arab and international partners.
President Abbas highlighted ongoing reform commitments within Palestine, such as educational reforms and creating a unified social welfare system. He affirmed that Hamas would not govern post-conflict and would transfer its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, aligning with Palestine’s commitment to an unarmed state as communicated to the International Peace Conference’s presidency.
The President announced plans for legislative and presidential elections within a year post-conflict, stipulating that participants adhere to the political program and international commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining a unified authority, legal system, and security framework.
President Abbas concluded by reaffirming Palestine’s readiness to collaborate with the United Kingdom and its dedication to peace, advocating for a two-state solution, and establishing an independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. The meeting was attended by senior Palestinian officials, including Ziad Abu Amr, Majdi al-Khalidi, and Ambassador Husam Zomlot.
