South Africa on Monday noted with grave concern the resignation of Palestinian prime minister Mahmud Abbas, saying it further increased tension in the Middle East.
The resignation of Abbas on Saturday ”significantly increases tension in an already volatile political environment and challenges the stability not only of Palestinian society but of the entire Middle East, which has been severely tried and tested in recent months,” Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said in a statement.
”It’s a great pity that prime minister Abbas has not been afforded the opportunity to improve living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through progress with the implementation of the road map. It is also regrettable that the prime minister experienced harsh and dangerous domestic incitement against the government since his appointment.”
The quartet of the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations has been pushing a peace road map that aims for the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005 alongside a secure Israel.
”His success in achieving a ceasefire which lasted two months was met by the resumption of Israeli extra-judicial assassinations as well as the continued construction of the separation wall and of new settlements.”
Pahad added that Abbas’s legitimacy was further undermined by the persistent practice of sidelining the legitimately elected president of the Palestinian people, Yasser Arafat.
”The South African government therefore calls on Israel, the Quartet and the broader international community to refrain from driving wedges between the Palestinian president and the prime minister,” he said.
”For the Palestinian leadership to implement the decisions necessary for successful peace making, Yasser Arafat must be recognised and respected as the legitimate Palestinian president and his government must be supported in their decisions on how best to pursue the goals of the road map within the Palestinian society.” — Sapa-AFP