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Friday, March 26, 2021, 12:05
Palestine: 'Positive signals' from US on two-state solution
By Xinhua
Friday, March 26, 2021, 12:05 By Xinhua

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki gestures during a press conference organized by Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents (ACANU) on Feb 26, 2020 at the UN Office in Geneva. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

RAMALLAH - Palestine has received "positive signals" from the United States on the commitment to the vision of the two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, said its top diplomat on Thursday.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah that the members of Palestinian Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations held its first official meeting on Wednesday in New York with US Permanent Representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

"The US representative explained to the members of the mission of Palestine that the administration of President Joe Biden backs the two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian cause," al-Maliki said.

He said Greenfield told the members of the mission that the United States opposes any unilateral steps, adding that the US position "is a positive indication for heading towards more Palestinian communications with the new US administration."

US Permanent Representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, explained to the members of Palestinian Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations that the administration of President Joe Biden backs the two-state solution to resolve the Palestinian cause.

Riyad al-Maliki, Palestinian Foreign Minister

The Palestinian Authority severed its diplomatic ties with the United States after former US President Donald Trump declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel in December 2017.

ALSO READ: Palestine lashes out at US position towards Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Meanwhile, al-Maliki called on the United States to resume its financial donations to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

He made this appeal to the United States during a meeting with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini in Ramallah, according to an official statement.

UNRWA officials have earlier said that the UN agency is experiencing "a most serious financial crisis" in its history due to the severe shortage of international donations.

The UN agency's financial crisis began after the United States decided to cut 360 million US dollars for the agency in 2018, which was 30 percent of its annual budget.

READ MORE: Palestine slams Israel plan to build over 2,500 new settlements

The UNRWA provides life-saving services to about 5.6 million Palestinian refugees in its five fields of operation that include Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

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