Tunis — A meeting was held, on Friday at the headquarters of the Democratic Constitutional Rally in Tunis, in the presence of Palestinian President, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas , as a sign of support to the Palestinian people's cause.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary General of the Democratic Constitutional Rally, Mr. Mohamed Ghariani gave a welcome address, on behalf of all RCD activists, to Tunisia's outstanding guest, President Mahmoud Abbas, guest of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

He underlined that this meeting is "the perfect illustration of the strength of the Tunisian-Palestinian brotherhood relations which have been reinforced throughout the years".

He also added that this large meeting provides the opportunity to all to remember, with deep pride, the strong ties of brotherhood and solidarity binding the Tunisian and Palestinian peoples, it also reflects the cordial relations of consideration tying the two countries' leaders.

Mr. Mohamed Ghariani reviewed the numerous events of solidarity between the two peoples held over the past decades, pointing out that this solidarity has presently reached its apex, thanks to the sustained support of Tunisia to the Palestinian people's legitimate fight to recover their spoilt rights, liberate their land and establish their independent State.

Mr. Ghariani said that the RCD, which had, not so long ago, been the party of liberation and IS today the party of reform and change, remains, under its President Ben Ali's impetus, committed to anchor this renewed solidarity as part of its historical support to the Palestinian cause and its long- standing relations of activism established with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the "Fatah" organization.

In his address, President Mahmoud Abbas highlighted the historical fraternity and activism relations binding Palestine and Tunisia, recalling the experience lived by PLO in Tunisia.

In this regard, he pointed out that Tunisia has always supported the Palestinian people through its political stands, saying that evidences of such solidarity and mutual assistance between the two peoples are numerous, one of the most significant of which was the Israeli attack on Hammam-Chott during which the blood of Palestinians and Tunisians mingled.

President Abbas also reiterated the high consideration vowed by the Palestinians, leadership and people, to Tunisia for its constant and principled stands in favor of the Palestinian cause, underlining that the Palestinians see in the person of President Ben Ali the sincerest ally of their just cause and consider him as the voice of wisdom and rationality, as well as a leader who spares no effort, no advice in the service of the Palestinian people's rights. He pointed out that his talks with President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, during the present visit, have provided once again the evidence of the permanent support of President Ben Ali to the Palestinian people.

Addressing the Palestinian internal situation, President Mahmoud Abbas emphasised the sustained efforts exerted to reach reconciliation between the different sides on the Palestinian scene. He said that the situation of deprivation and suffering prevailing in the Palestinian territory and Israel's stubbornness to carry on its settlements plans in Al-Quds and the West Bank, dictate the swift re-establishment of national unity.

Abu Mazen also reminded of the obstacles which, since the 2007 Neapolis Summit, have frustrated efforts to reactivate the peace process, pointing out that developments taking place on Israel's political scene, as well as its short-sighted calculations, have to a large extent contributed to foiling the peace talks, as a result of the conditions imposed by the Government of Netanyahu, particularly the fact of considering Al-Quds as capital of Israel, demanding from Palestinians to acknowledge Jewishness of Israel and discarding the issue of refugees from the talks table.

President Abbas underlined, in this regard, that the Palestinian side rejects totally these conditions, saying that "Eastern Al-Quds is occupied and, accordingly, it is the capital of the next Palestinian State which we will never give away."

He added specifying: "we will never admit Jewishness of the State of Israel, and no one will compel us to do so."

In conclusion, the Palestinian president underlined that the Palestinian side refuses to resume talks, including indirect ones, in the face of Tel Aviv's persistence in its settlements operations. He underlined that the Israeli government's persistence in its settlements policy shows that Israel does not want either peace or a solution.

He said that the Palestinian side is ready to implement the international resolutions and that it has honoured all its commitments, while Israel "has respected none of these, as Israelis themselves admit."