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Quartet backs Palestinian efforts | Quartet backs Palestinian efforts |
(10 minutes later) | |
The US and the three other members of the so-called quartet of Mid-East mediators have endorsed the idea of a Palestinian national unity government. | The US and the three other members of the so-called quartet of Mid-East mediators have endorsed the idea of a Palestinian national unity government. |
The US, EU, Russia and the UN said they would boost indirect aid through a channel bypassing the current Hamas-led Palestinian government. | The US, EU, Russia and the UN said they would boost indirect aid through a channel bypassing the current Hamas-led Palestinian government. |
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is seeking to replace the Hamas government with one including his Fatah faction. | |
Hamas's enmity towards Israel has led to curbs on aid to the territories. | Hamas's enmity towards Israel has led to curbs on aid to the territories. |
The quartet's announcement followed talks at the UN in New York and a meeting between Mr Abbas and US President George W Bush. | The quartet's announcement followed talks at the UN in New York and a meeting between Mr Abbas and US President George W Bush. |
"The quartet welcomes the efforts of [Mr] Abbas... in the hope that the platform of such a government would reflect quartet principles and allow for early engagement," the quartet's joint statement said. | "The quartet welcomes the efforts of [Mr] Abbas... in the hope that the platform of such a government would reflect quartet principles and allow for early engagement," the quartet's joint statement said. |
It also agreed to extend and expand a temporary international mechanism to channel aid to the Palestinians bypassing Hamas. | It also agreed to extend and expand a temporary international mechanism to channel aid to the Palestinians bypassing Hamas. |
'Man of peace' | 'Man of peace' |
At their talks, Mr Bush described Mahmoud Abbas as a "man of peace" and added that achieving peace in the Middle East was one of the great objectives of his presidency. | At their talks, Mr Bush described Mahmoud Abbas as a "man of peace" and added that achieving peace in the Middle East was one of the great objectives of his presidency. |
Today we go to the employment offices like beggars. We go to the welfare associations like beggars. Even our own sense of self-worth has been lost Ibrahim al-ToulGaza carpenter Sanctions prolong Gazan despair | Today we go to the employment offices like beggars. We go to the welfare associations like beggars. Even our own sense of self-worth has been lost Ibrahim al-ToulGaza carpenter Sanctions prolong Gazan despair |
"I fully understand that in order to achieve this vision, there must be a leader willing to speak out and act on behalf of people who yearn for peace, and you're such a leader, Mr President," he said at a joint news conference in New York. | "I fully understand that in order to achieve this vision, there must be a leader willing to speak out and act on behalf of people who yearn for peace, and you're such a leader, Mr President," he said at a joint news conference in New York. |
"Our government wants to work with you, so that you're capable of delivering the vision that so many Palestinians long for, and that is a society in which they can raise their children in peace and hope." | "Our government wants to work with you, so that you're capable of delivering the vision that so many Palestinians long for, and that is a society in which they can raise their children in peace and hope." |
Mr Abbas praised Mr Bush's speech to the General Assembly on Tuesday, when he advocated a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. | Mr Abbas praised Mr Bush's speech to the General Assembly on Tuesday, when he advocated a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. |
"You are the first American president to have spoken of the vision of two states," he said. | "You are the first American president to have spoken of the vision of two states," he said. |
He also said that Palestinians were in "dire need" of US help. | He also said that Palestinians were in "dire need" of US help. |
'Softening' stance | 'Softening' stance |
There is a growing sense of urgency at the UN to get the Middle East peace process moving, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. | There is a growing sense of urgency at the UN to get the Middle East peace process moving, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. |
He says there are fears that if nothing is done the Palestinian territories could descend into chaos and anarchy. | He says there are fears that if nothing is done the Palestinian territories could descend into chaos and anarchy. |
The quartet has consistently said that for the Palestinian government to end its isolation it must renounce violence, recognise Israel and respect existing peace agreements, our correspondent says. | The quartet has consistently said that for the Palestinian government to end its isolation it must renounce violence, recognise Israel and respect existing peace agreements, our correspondent says. |
This latest statement is an apparent softening of tone, expressing hope that a national unity government would simply reflect quartet principles and allow for early engagement, he adds. | This latest statement is an apparent softening of tone, expressing hope that a national unity government would simply reflect quartet principles and allow for early engagement, he adds. |