Shoukry contacts Erekat for not renewing PLO license in WA

CAIRO – 19 November 2017: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called Saturday the Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, to follow the developments of the case of not renewing the license of the (PLO) office in Washington, D.C.

On Friday, the Trump administration pointed out that it will shutter the Palestinians’ D.C. office unless the Palestinian Authority enters serious peace talks with Israel, Associated Press (AP) reported.

According to Ahmed Abu Zeid, Foreign Ministry spokesman, Shoukry stressed during the call on the importance of keeping communication channels open between the Palestinian Authority and the U.S. administration.

This is important, particularly currently, while the international community is looking forward to the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations and the peace process, Abu Zeid added.

Dr. Saeb Erekat on the American decision not to renew license of #PLO office in Washington. pic.twitter.com/pAsPKJ2sqS

— Palestine PLO - NAD (@nadplo) ١٨ نوفمبر، ٢٠١٧

In a video published by the PLO official Twitter account, Saturday, Erekat threatened U.S. "in case they want to officially close the office of the PLO in Washington, D.C., we will put on hold all our communications with the American Administration."

The PLO was founded in 1964. It was designated as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, according to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions 3210 and 3236.