Pakistan has welcomed election of Mahmoud Abbas as successor to late president Yasser Arafat, and called upon the international community to support and assist him in his search for 'a viable solution' to the current conflict in the Middle East. Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan, in an opening statement to his regular weekly briefing here on Monday, described Abbas' victory as a demonstration of the Palestinian people's trust and confidence in his leadership and in his life long struggle towards their cause.
He said Pakistan supported the Palestinian cause, and had always stood by them in demanding the restriction of their inalienable rights, including their right to an independent homeland of their own.
The FO spokesman said it was the responsibility of the international community to extend all possible support and assistance in strengthening the hands of the elected leader, in his efforts to arrive at an acceptable and viable solution to the conflict.
He also expressed the hope of Islamabad that Israel would respond "positively to this development and would fulfil its responsibility as enshrined in the relevant UN resolutions and the Middle East road map for peace by restarting the stalled peace negotiations with the Palestinians."
Answering questions from a host of Pakistan-based Arab journalists, Masood Khan reiterated that Pakistan always support full independence, complete statehood and sovereignty for the Palestinians, and wants that the road map for the Middle East peace process should be implemented.