Baghdad: President Mahmoud Abbas called today on the Arab leaders and presidents participating in the 34th Arab Summit, held in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, to adopt an Arab plan to end the war and achieve peace. This plan would include a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and the complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, President Abbas, in his address to the summit, emphasized that the plan also involves the State of Palestine assuming its civil and security responsibilities in the Gaza Strip. This requires Hamas to relinquish control, surrender its weapons to the legitimate authority, and restructure the Palestinian security services in Gaza with professional standards, aided by Arab and international support.
President Abbas also proposed convening an international conference in Cairo to finance and implement the reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip. He outlined the necessity for a comprehensive truce, cessation of unilateral Israeli actions violating international law, and the initiation of a political process with a defined timeframe to realize the two-state solution, establish a Palestinian state, and secure international recognition in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
He reiterated his readiness to conduct presidential and legislative elections next year, contingent upon suitable conditions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. Additionally, he affirmed ongoing efforts to reform state institutions and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), emphasizing the importance of unifying Palestinian ranks under the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
In his speech, President Abbas highlighted the urgency of addressing systematic acts of genocide, destruction, and starvation in Gaza, and the brutal crimes occurring in the West Bank and Jerusalem. He called for mobilizing Arab and international support to counter these aggressions and to work towards achieving security, stability, and peace.
President Abbas outlined the political vision for which he sought endorsement from the Arab leaders, emphasizing the importance of adopting the Arab Plan for Ending the War and Achieving Peace. This plan includes a permanent ceasefire, restoration of Palestinian Authority control in Gaza, an international reconstruction conference, and a comprehensive truce, along with launching a political process aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He also reaffirmed the commitment to holding elections and pursuing comprehensive political reform and national unity. President Abbas urged the summit to advocate for the plan with relevant international parties, acknowledging the efforts of the U.S. President and the consistent positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council states in seeking a just solution to the Palestinian issue.
Lastly, President Abbas expressed gratitude to the Republic of Iraq for hosting the summit and to all Arab leaders and nations for their steadfast support of the Palestinian cause.