Abul Gheit: US decision on Al Quds rejected

CAIRO - 17 January 2018: Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Wednesday that Al Qud is not just a piece of land but part of the Arab and Muslims' conscience and spirit.

Addressing an international conference on supporting Al Quds city that is organized by Al Azhar institution, he added that a US decision recognizing the city as the capital of Israel is rejected and condemned. The decision has no legal effect, he noted.

A decision by any state whatever its status, should not change facts on the ground, he said, adding that the decision is not only rejected by the Arabs but rather by the overwhelming majority of the world countries.

The Arab stance on this score is clear; Al Quds is an occupied land and is the capital of a Palestinian State, he said, adding that peace and stability will not be achieved except after setting up an independent Palestinian State with the boundaries of 4 June 1967.

The AL chief said at the international conference on Al Quds that an Arab ministerial meeting will be held on February 1st for discussing detailed steps and measures that will be taken by the Arab countries for supporting the Palestinian cause.

He added that the issue should be a matter of concern not only to Arab governments but also to each Arab either Muslim or Christian.

The city houses now 300,000 Palestinians who are showing a legendary resistance, which all the Arabs are proud of, he pointed out.

The AL chief noted that an announcement by the US withholding millions of dollars in aid to the UNRWA is closely associated with Washington's decision recognizing Al Quds as the capital of Israel.

Israel announced two days ago building more settlements and seizing more Palestinian lands, said Abul Gheit, adding that the Arabs should stand up to this state of affairs.

He confirmed that anybody who thinks that a decision or mere measure would change the status of Al Quds is mistaken.

The issue of Al Quds will never fade away in the Arab conscience, he asserted, adding that Al Azhar institution is undertaking a basic role in educating the coming generations on the importance of this issue.