Prior to his departure to Libya yesterday to attend summit ministerial preparatory meeting, Alawi told Oman Arabic daily reporter that it is unlikely the US role in the peace process will diminish following the recent Israeli insistence on continuing settlements and its failure to respond to the demands of the international community.
The minister said the Americans are still standing by their position. Their stand in everything that Israel does with regard to Palestinian territories has no legal basis and will not create any rights for the Israelis.
He confirmed that the Palestinian position is firm — negotiations direct or indirect are useless if Israel continues expansion of settlements in the Palestinian territories.
He said he believed that the crux of the matter is “Israel cannot continue with this policy to which the world objects indefinitely”.
The most prominent items on the summit agenda will be the peace process and Palestinian reconciliation, he said.
