Palestinian FM calls for permanent opening of Rafah terminal

Visiting Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahhar Thursday said that it's important to permanently open the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian territories.

The opening of the terminal, its influence on the Palestinian economy as well as ties between the Palestinians and Egypt, were among the topics during his talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on Thursday, Egypt's official news agency MENA quoted Zahhar as saying.

"We are doing utmost efforts to coordinate with Egypt to reopen the terminal," said Zahhar.

Abul Gheit promised to draw up a plan on how to tackle the issue of the Rafah terminal in the coming period as the terminal agreement would expire by Nov. 15, according to Zahhar.

The Rafah crossing was sealed off since the capture of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit in June in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants, and was only allowed occasional openings.

Thirty-nine Palestinians, who were injured during Israel's military operation on northern Gaza town Beit Hanoun, Thursday crossed Rafah border checkpoint to complete their treatment at Egyptian hospitals.

Likewise, Zahhar and Abul-Gheit discussed the latest Palestinian political developments in terms of forming a unity government, and Zahhar said some issues still need more discussion between Hamas and Fatah.

They also talked about the issue of prisoner-swap, Zahhar said, noting the need to solve the issue.

Zahhar, whose son-in-law was killed in an Israeli raid on his vehicle in Gaza Strip Wednesday night, said he will leave Cairo for Damascus to talk about a series of Palestinian issues.

Source: Xinhua