PLO Central Council will discuss cancellation of Oslo, says Shaath

The Palestinian President’s adviser on foreign affairs and international relations has said that the PLO Central Council will discuss the cancellation of the Oslo Accords, Quds Net News has reported.

Such a strategic decision, explained Nabil Shaath, would have to be taken by the body which approved it in the first place. A decision would also be made about withdrawing official recognition of the State of Israel.

Shaath pointed out that the Central Council of the PLO is the representative of the Palestinian National Council. “Both were the first to acknowledge the Oslo Agreement, so the PLO must go again to the Central Council to cancel the agreement. A decision can only be taken at this level.”

Speaking to Al-Jazeera TV on Tuesday, Shaath stressed the possibility of pulling out of the Oslo deal. He pointed out that this is the main reason for attending the meeting of the Central Council which will be held on 14-15 January.

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The veteran official expressed his hope that Hamas and Islamic Jihad will attend the Central Council meeting. “Both have been invited,” he confirmed, although neither movement is a member of the umbrella organisation. Calls have been made over recent years for the PLO to be reformed, so that it is more inclusive of all Palestinian political factions.