[President Mahmoud Abbas receives Prince William during his first British royal visit to Palestine. (WAFA Images)]
Ramallah: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday welcomed Britain’s Prince William to Palestine and affirmed his full commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace with Israel.
During their meeting at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, Abbas said that the Palestinian side is serious in reaching peace with Israel so that the two states can live in peace and security on the 4 June 1967 borders.
“We want to reach peace through negotiations. This is our position which has not changed in a long time,” the Palestinian president told the Duke of Cambridge, who is on his first ever official British royal visit to Palestine.
Abbas welcomed the prince’s first visit to Palestine, expressing hope that it will not be the last. "I hope this will not be the last visit...and that your next visit will be in the State of Palestine when we have our full independence", he said.
President Abbas pointed out that Prince William’s visit will deepen and strengthen the friendly ties between the Palestinian and British peoples. "We are always in need of the support of the British people for our just Palestinian cause,” he said.
The Palestinian leader mentioned the recent financial aid provided by the British government to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), saying it was an important gesture in such circumstances.
He also reiterated the commitment of the Palestinian leadership to fighting terrorism in all its forms and at the all domestic, regional and international levels.
For his part, Prince William thanked President Abbas for his warm reception and expressed his hopes for peace in the region. "My sentiments are the same as yours in hoping that there is a lasting peace in the region,” he said.
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