Iran: Mideast talks illegal

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has described the US-brokered talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel as “illegal” and “unacceptable.”

Speaking at an International Quds Day rally in Kashan on Friday, Mottaki said the primary legal flaw of the talks is the fact that the term in office of one of the negotiators has expired. “On what basis does Mr. Mahmoud Abbas participate in the talks as the representative of the Palestinian nation, while his tenure has ended?” IRNA quoted the Iranian foreign minister as saying on Friday. “As clearly expressed by the Palestinian people and most Palestinian groups, these negotiations are unacceptable,” he added.

Mottaki called the talks puppetry and propaganda and noted that Tel Aviv never met the three conditions set in what is referred to as the Arab Initiative. The only path that can lead to the realization of the aspirations of the Palestinian nation is resistance, and the Palestinians are well aware of this fact, he added.