Two Arab officials asked, during the summit for South American and Arab countries that started yesterday and finished today in BrasÀlia, for help from South America to establish peace in their territories.
The president of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, said, in an press conference, that he hopes South America will help put pressure for the peace treaty established with Israel is kept. The Israelis promised to retreat from Gaza in August.
The minister of Foreign Affairs from Somalia, Abdullah Sheik Ismail, also declared that the country is seeking international help in its reconstruction.
The subject was the theme of conversations with president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the minister of Foreign Relations of Brazil, Celso Amorim.
Somalia is ending a civil war process. “South America and Arab countries can help each other sort out their problems. This is the spirit that joins us in this conference,” said the Minister. According to Ismail, the conflict destroyed the country’s infrastructure and economy.
Palestine
A similar problem, and even graver, due to the lack of understanding with the Israelis neighbours over the territorial matter, is facing Palestine. The Palestinian president also said his country needs to reconstruct various sectors, like infrastructure, security and education.
“It doesn’t matter where the help comes from. There are many things to do in the country,” he stated.
Abbas also said yesterday, in many occasions, that the country is willing to construct democracy. In answer to an Israeli criticism to the participation of the Hamas Islamic resistance movement in the parliamentary elections in July in Palestine, Abbas stated that its part of democracy.
“We have to follow the democratic process, we have no other choice,” he stated.
The president emphasised, however, the country’s disposition to start the peace process.
“We want peace for the two states. Palestine and Israel side by side. We will believe in peace and enjoy the results it will bring,” he affirmed.
“I am sure we will have a Palestinian state sooner than we think,” he said.
Abbas also said he is satisfied with the final declaration of the summit. He said the conversations held during the meeting were positive and that this will also reflect in the future.
Abbas stated that in the next Arab-South American summit Palestine will be represented again, by him or his successor.
I was surprised with some South American leaders that I met. They know details of what is going on in Palestine,” he stated.
“The conference was a success, all communities are represented here,” he said.
ANBA – Brazil-Arab News Agency
www.anba.com.br