Palestinian civil affairs minister Mohammed Dahlan reiterated on Monday that Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will be run by the Palestinians, Europeans and Egyptians without involvement of Israel.

Dahlan made the statement at a joint press conference with the European Union Mideast envoy Mark Otte after inspecting Rafah crossing, which has been closed since Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza on Sept. 12.

Dahlan said that it was unacceptable for the Palestinians to allow Israel to remain present at a Palestinian crossing.

He added that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) will make all-out efforts to give the Palestinians free access to the crossing.

Meanwhile, Palestinian lawmakers demanded on Monday that the PNA present the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) any agreement reached with Israel on reopening Rafah crossing for approval.

In addition, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat announced on Monday that Israel and the Palestinians would hold negotiations with the presence of European representatives on the operation of Rafah crossing later Monday and Tuesday.

Israel's security cabinet last Tuesday approved an agreement with Cairo to reopen the Rafah crossing under the supervision of European inspectors.

However, disputes are still unsettled on the authority of the inspectors, as Palestinians consider them advisers while Israel wants them to have veto power over security enforcement.

Moreover, the Palestinians objected to the Israeli demand for cameras to be installed at the crossing.

Source: Xinhua