Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat stated elections would be held in the Palestinian territories after "the end to the occupation of our lands" by the Israeli army. He made the remark during comments about the Israeli invasion of the West Bank that began on March 29, AFP reported.
"Elections will be held as rapidly as possible after the end to the occupation of our lands," Arafat told journalists following Friday's weekly Muslim prayers. "Unfortunately, (Israeli) military operations are continuing, and they (the Israelis) are preparing to carry out more," Arafat said.
"I wonder just how long the world is going to sit idly by while these aggressions continue," he added.
Palestinian parliamentary speaker Ahmed Qorei said in remarks published Friday that Arafat welcomed a proposal by lawmakers to hold municipal elections this year and a legislative poll next year.
"The legislative council elections will take place at the start of next year. For the municipal elections, they will be organized before the end of this year," Qorei told the Palestinian daily Al-Quds. (Albawaba.com)
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