Palestinian FM briefs foreign diplomats on latest Palestinian efforts

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Malki on Sunday met with foreign diplomats to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and reviewed with them the latest developments of the Palestinian application to the United Nations. Following his periodical meeting with the foreign diplomats, Malki said that the ministry has been meeting regularly, especially after applying the Palestinian request to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the Palestinian possible moves. Al-Malki briefed the diplomats on the latest Palestinian efforts to gather world support for the Palestinian request to recognize Palestine as a full member state in the UN. He said that PA needs the full support of all countries, especially the ones that decided to open representatives'' offices in Palestine. Al-Malki explained for the diplomats the Palestinian purpose in seeking UN recognition, especially in the Security Council. He called on the representatives to inform their governments of the true Palestinian peaceful position and the importance of their support. In reference to the US decision to block financial aid to the PA, al-Malki said that "up to this moment we didn’t receive any official confirmation on the US decision, if we do then we will respond." He insisted that the PA was aware of the fact that seeking the UN recognition might lead to similar consequences, such as the US veto and potential block of financial aid. "The PA must not weaken under any pressures and stick to its position," he was qouted by the official news agency (WAFA) as saying. Al-Malki said that PA addressed the organization of Islamic cooperation, which stated that it will study different means to cover financial crises that might face the PA. "If we receive an official confirmation on the US decision to block financial aid to the Palestinians, we will meet with the organization of Islamic cooperation and find ways to overcome any potential crises," he added. He said that the PA is trying to get the support of Colombia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Portugal to grant the ninth vote, in order to make the Palestinian request valid to be voted on in the UN.