Arab-Islamic ministerial panel regrets US visa denial for Palestinian UN delegation

The Arab-Islamic ministerial committee on Gaza has expressed deep regret over a US State Department decision to deny entry visas to the Palestinian delegation due to attend the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York this September, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement.
In a joint communique, the committee urged Washington to reconsider and reverse the decision. It stressed the need to respect obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement, enable dialogue and diplomacy, and build on the Palestinian Authority’s positive positions and its firm commitment to the strategic choice of peace.
The committee also underlined the importance of supporting the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas in advancing the government’s reform programme and commitments he reaffirmed before world leaders in support of peace and in confronting violence, extremism and terrorism.
It warned that weakening the Palestinian Authority would undermine peace efforts amid an unprecedented escalation against the Palestinian people, fuelling violence and prolonging the conflict.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama