President Jacob Zuma today held private meetings with PA leader, Mahmoud Abbas, in Pretoria, South Africa. Zuma has joined world leaders in condemning Israel for defying calls to cease building new settlements on occupied Palestinian land.
President Zuma pledged South Africa’s support for a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis.
“The only way to everlasting peace lies in frank and genuine negotiations between Palestinians and the state of Israel with the two-state solution being the ultimate goal,” he said, adding that “South Africa is ready to assist with this process.”
#AbbasVisit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meets South African President Jacob Zuma. pic.twitter.com/nEmCR7DgeU
— Mark Klusener (@Mark_Klusener) November 26, 2014
Zuma expressed his opposition to the Israeli control of the occupied Palestinian lands stating that he and Abbas had reached an agreement that “the continuing building of settlements in occupied Palestinian lands is undermining prospects for a two-state solution as envisaged by the United Nations and the international community”.
Zuma has appointed former minister, Dr. Zola Skweyiya, and former deputy minister, Dr. Aziz Pahad, to engage on this matter with the state of Palestine and other relevant stakeholders in the Middle East region and the international community.
President Jacob Zuma hosting President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine who is on a Working Visit to South Africa. pic.twitter.com/IWGhWLJFTi
— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) May 25, 2016
Both presidents agreed on ways to strengthen bilateral ties between South Africa and Palestine, and discussed how South Africa can continue its legacy of support for the struggle of the Palestinian people.
(LELA, SABC NEWS, PC)
