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Ramallah, 18-01-06: Independent Palestine head, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, met with Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Moratinos today in Ramallah, to discuss upcoming Palestinian legislative elections and the resumption of peace negotiations with Israel.
Dr. Barghouthi briefed Mr. Moratinos on the latest developments in the run-up to voting on 25 January, and stressed the importance of ensuring timely, free and fair elections.
He placed particular emphasis on the issue of voting in East Jerusalem, adding that continued Israeli-imposed movement restrictions in and around the city, and the arrest of Palestinian election candidates represented attempts by Israel to disrupt the democratic process.
Dr. Barghouthi called on the international community to place pressure on Israel to refrain from interference in Palestinian elections. He also reiterated requests for an international peace conference in order to revive real negotiations between Palestine and Israel, on the basis of international law and resolutions.
Mr. Moratinos voiced his support for the democratic process in Palestine, emphasizing that the participation of East Jerusalemites was an essential part of this. He also spoke of his hope that the road to democracy would lead to a resumption of peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel, and to the building of an independent Palestinian state in which its people can live in freedom and dignity.
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