Abbas asks allies to avoid interference in Palestine’s internal affairs

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with the Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, Khaled Mashal (C) and the vice Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh (L) in Doha, Qatar on October 28, 2016.

The president of the Palestinian Authority has asked Turkey and Qatar to propose formally to the Arab Quartet that its members avoid any interference in Palestine’s internal affairs, Quds Net news agency reported on Monday. The Arab Quartet consists of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Jordan.

Mahmoud Abbas — who is also the head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the secular Fatah movement — made his request to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Ben Hamad, during his recent visits to their respective countries. More cooperation and the strengthening of relations were also on the agenda of both trips.

“This is an unprecedented request,” said local sources, “because these countries used to have a heavy role in internal Palestinian affairs.” Abbas, it is said, feels that the Quartet members contribute to “systematic incitement” against the PA and his own position.

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