Abbas: No Naturalizing of Even One Palestinian in Lebanon

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted Wednesday as rejecting the naturalization of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and charging that al-Qaida has set up base in Gaza in cooperation with Hamas.

 

Abbas made the remarks in an interview published by the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat.

 

“We would never accept any settlement that leads to naturalizing Palestinians in Lebanon,” Abbas said.

 

“We would not accept any settlement that leads to a demographic change in Lebanon. This is totally unacceptable … we won”t accept a settlement that obliges Lebanon to naturalize even one Palestinian. We would find a settlement that satisfies Palestinians in Lebanon and satisfies Lebanon … I”m sure of this and time will prove it,” he added.

 

He said the forthcoming Arab Summit scheduled for March 29 in Damascus faces “many obstacles … we hope that such obstacles would be surpassed so that the summit could be held as scheduled.”

 

Abbas charged that al-Qaida has set up base in Gaza. “Hamas brought al-Qaida into Gaza. Hamas helps al-Qaida move in and out … I think they are allies.”