国际英语新闻:Palestinian President calls on UN to help arrange int'l conference for Mideast peace

RAMALLAH, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday called on the United Nations to help arrange an international conference for peace in the Middle East.

Abbas made this appeal in his online speech from Ramallah to the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Abbas hasn't been able to attend the UN annual conference.

He called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to coordinate with the Quartet of the UN, the United States, the EU and Russia and the UN Security Council to hold a global peace conference to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Abbas noted the desired peace process should be based on international law, international legitimacy, and specific references that lead to an end to the Israeli occupation.

"A conference that helps the Palestinian people gain their freedom and independence in their state with East Jerusalem as its capital on 1967 borders," the Palestinian president said.

Abbas renewed his rejection of Israeli normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

"The agreements are a violation of the Arab Peace Initiative and the foundations and pillars of a comprehensive, lasting and just solution under international law," he explained.