jordan pulse -

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in London on Monday, discussing latest developments in occupied territories and bilateral relations.

Abbas reaffirmed Palestinian commitments to reforms, including education, unified social welfare system, and stipulation that Hamas would have no governing role after the war, handing over weapons to the Palestinian Authority.

He said preparations are under way to hold parliamentary and presidential elections within a year after the war ends, in a message sent to the international conference in New York.

Abbas praised the UK’s stance, including efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire, ensure humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, reject settlement expansion and settler violence, and push for a two-state solution.

He welcomed the UK’s historic decision to recognise the State of Palestine before the peace conference in New York later this month, describing it as a corrective step to historical injustice and a new opening for peace.

He stressed Palestinian priorities: permanent ceasefire, full humanitarian access to Gaza, release of hostages and prisoners, Israeli withdrawal, and launch of early recovery and reconstruction.

Abbas reiterated Gaza is integral to Palestine, with the state assuming full responsibility there with Arab and international backing.

He confirmed that any party or candidate in elections must commit to the PLO’s political programme, international obligations, and principle of ‘one authority, one law, one legitimate security force’.