The Ambassador of Palestine to Nigeria, Samir Baker, yesterday said that his country will continue with the struggle and the legacy of Yasser Arafat for an independent state of Palestine.
He made the remark while receiving visitors at the Palestinian embassy in Abuja.
He said that after 40 years of Arafat’s leadership, the people around him have benefited from his experience and will continue the principles and objectives Arafat stood for.
He admitted that Arafat would leave a gap, adding that “Arafat was the leader and father of Palestine. He led them for 40 years and he led the armed struggle, and led the diplomatic and political achievements and also the peace process. He has given all his life for the Palestinian people and cause.”
“Before the struggle, the Palestinians were looked upon as refugees. Arafat started the struggle for the reco-gnition of the Palestinian people and in 1973, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. That was a new beginning for the Palestinian people by recog-nising their rights and brin-ging the Palestinian issue to the UN,” he said.
Baker revealed that according to the constitution, the chairman of the legislative council will take over for 60 days and prepare for elections that would allow the Palestinian people to choose another leader.
He added that the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) has chosen Mahmood Abbas, who was elected by the Executive Committee of the organisation.
He expressed faith in the road map, saying that peace could reign in the Middle East if Israel will behave and stop its destruction of homes and assassinations.
“We believe that peace can only be achieved if the Palestinians get their freedom and if the occupation of their land ends and also given control of their reso-urces. Then peace will be achieved. The road map has the mechanism to reach that goal in 2005. If Israel implements their obligations of the road map in the presence of the quarter (comprising of the United Nations, United States, Europe and Russia), then we will move forward,” he said.
Among those that paid the condolence visit was the former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who expressed sympathy, saying that it was the loss of a great leader.
Member of the Diplomatic Corps were also there to pay their condolence. In the words of the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, J. K. Fagh, “when the history of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and statehood is written, the name of Yasser Arafat will be written in letters of gold. His impact on world history will remain indelible,” he said.
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