国际英语新闻：Moussa: ending Gaza siege, making reconciliation become Arab's priority

GAZA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Lifting Israel's blockade on Gaza and ending internal Palestinian division have become a priority to the Arab world, Arab League chief Amr Moussa said at the end of a one- day visit to the Gaza Strip Sunday.

The two issues that distress the Palestinian people "have become a pressing priority for the joint Arabic moves," Moussa told journalists in Gaza.

"The next steps to lift the siege would be Arabic because everybody is now thinking that this blockade should not continue," Moussa added.

Moussa added that the AL was in contact with American and European officials to arrange to end the blockade.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa (L) shakes hands with Hamas leader Ismail Haneya during his visit in Gaza city, June 13, 2010. Moussa on Sunday called for an end to a three-year Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and also called on Palestinian rivals to end their rift.

Israel, which sealed Gaza in June 2007 to weaken Hamas, is reviewing its policy in the wake of an international outcry following its deadly raid on a Turkish-led Gaza-bound flotilla on May 31.

Meanwhile, Moussa, who also focused his talks in Gaza on the stalled Palestinian reconciliation, said he exchanged specific ideas with the factions regarding the national unity.