Putin discusses Middle East issues with Prince Saud Alfaisal

Palestinian leadership condemns Israeli escalation in Gaza

Abbas: Legitimacy return to Gaza a precondition to hold talks with Hamas

Palestinian, Arabic& international condemnation to Israel's decision to build new housing units in East Jerusalem

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) condemned the continued Israeli aggression perpetrated by Israeli Occupation Forces on the Gaza Strip which left a large number of people killed or wounded.

Presidency spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeina, said that such Israeli atrocities weaken the position of the Palestinian negotiator and undermine the entire peace process.

Abu Rdeina called on the Israeli government to stop putting obstacles before the Palestinian negotiator, adding that President Mahmoud Abbas called on "our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip to be patient and confident in the future. "

At least fifteen citizens were killed and fifty others wounded during the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Leading Israeli politicians called for toppling Hamas in the Gaza Strip as Israel again grappled with how to halt persistent rocket fire from the Islamist-run territory.

As tensions rose, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's closest ally threw cold water on hopes that Israel and the Palestinians would make peace this year, a goal they set for themselves at a US meeting in November.

"We have to overturn the Hamas regime, pulverize its military force and liquidate all of its leaders, without making an artificial distinction between those who wear suicide belts and those who wear diplomat suits," said Tzahi Hanegbi, head of parliament's powerful foreign affairs and defense committee.

His comments reflected mounting Israeli anger over rockets fired from Gaza after an eight-year-old boy had his leg amputated after he was wounded by shrapnel.

During a visit to Germany, Olmert said Israeli forces had been "authorized to act to change the situation so that the inhabitants of Sderot and other Israeli towns targeted by Palestinian rockets can live in security."

Olmert ruled out a widespread ground offensive in Gaza but warned that no one from Hamas was immune to Israeli strikes.

"We will continue to reach all the terror bodies -- those responsible for them, those who send them and those who operate them. We will not exclude anyone," he said.

A spokesman for Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since it seized control in June, warned Israel against targeting its leaders.

"The Israeli occupation should know that it will pay an unprecedented price if it proceeds with this kind of foolishness," Sami Abu Zuhri said.

"The launching of rockets is directly tied to the Israeli escalation. The continuation of this escalation means the continuation of the rockets and the resistance to protect our people."

The Chief Negotiator of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, called on the international community to exert every possible effort to impose a comprehensive ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis.

Erekat's call came during a meeting he held with The EU's Middle East Envoy, Mark Otti.

Erekat stressed that Israel's imposition of "facts on the ground" in the form of settlements, especially in East Jerusalem, have become a threat to efforts to make the year 2008 one of peace.

Erekat also reiterated his condemnation to the Israeli military escalation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip saying that violence leads only to more violence. He went on to say that Israel's continuation to construct settlements and to build the Separation Wall as well as arrests and checkpoints will only broaden the cycle of violence.

Head of the PLO Negotiations Department, Saeb Erekat, said that once Israel invades the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian crisis would emerge in the overpopulated coastal enclave.

Following his meeting with the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, Erekat told reporters in the West Bank city of Jericho, that a state of calm in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has become an imperative to preserve the peace process.

Erekat also denied media reports that the Palestinian and Israeli sides agreed to delay talks on the status of the occupied East Jerusalem as well as the cause of refugees.

The Israeli Housing Ministry declared that preparations are being carried out to build at least 1100 houses for settlers in east Jerusalem and its surrounding Arab areas.

The Ministry said that the Jerusalem Municipality released bids to build 750 houses in Pesgat Zeev area and 370 houses in Jabal Abu Gheim, a green mountain near Bethlehem which was illegal annexed by Israel and its trees were uprooted when Israel built houses for settlers.

Israeli Housing Minister, Ze'ev Boim, said that his ministry will build anywhere in Jerusalem and around it, while his assistant stated that the new bids for the 370 houses will not be released until the results of a previous bid for 307 houses are officially released.

Israel surrounded Jerusalem with illegal settlements and the illegal annexation wall and always accelerated settlement construction and expansion in the city in order to create forced realities which will bar handing East Jerusalem to the Palestinians under any future peace agreement.

In Washington, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayad accused Israel of not fulfilling its road map commitments, saying it had neither frozen settlement activity nor removed roadblocks.

On the other hand, The Aqsa foundation for the reconstruction of Islamic holy shrines revealed in photographs that the Israeli Osteopathic Association (IOA) is building a new underground tunnel adjacent to the western wall of the Aqsa Mosque extending over a distance of 200 meters, calling on the Arab and Islamic countries to save occupied Jerusalem and the holy mosque before it is too late.

According to the foundation, the tunnel starts from the left side of the Buraq square and extends into the old town passing under dozens of Palestinian houses up to the Hammam Al-Ein neighborhood where the foundation discovered a year ago excavations carried out under the neighborhood by the IOA in order to build a Jewish synagogue at a distance of 50 meters from Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The foundation stated that this tunnel and the serious excavations are threatening Al-Aqsa Mosque and dozens of Palestinian houses with collapse, pointing out that the tunnel consists of several interrelated subways.

In London, Minister of Foreign Affairs Salah Bashir discussed with his British counterpart David Miliband means to enhance bilateral ties and current regional developments. During the meeting, Bashir voiced the country's strong condemnation of Israel's plans to build new settlements in East Jerusalem and urged the Israeli government to avoid measures that negatively affect final status negotiations. He also called on the international community, particularly the Quartet, to exert more efforts to push Palestinian-Israeli negotiations forward in order establish an independent Palestinian state.

The minister highlighted the importance of continuing international support for the Palestinian Authority and its efforts to improve the living standards of Palestinians. Miliband reviewed his country's efforts to push the peace process forward and commended His Majesty King Abdullah's efforts to achieve regional peace and stability.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa strongly condemned Israeli decision of to build 10,000 settlements in East Jerusalem, describing it as a clear violation to all international laws and United Nations resolutions.

Moussa's comment came in a press release where he stressed that Israel is looking determined to destroy the Middle East peace process which Tel Aviv announced it supported in the US-sponsored Annapolis summit last November.

"We see no progress, we want to send a message, a message of concern," Moussa said.

The Arab League Chief also called on the United States, European Union, and United Nations to immediately step in and stop Israeli provocations and save any chances for peace.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Head of the Negotiation Team Ahmed Quraie said that Israel announcement of continuing to build such settlements aimed at stealing Jerusalem and Judaize the city.

Quraie comment came in response to Israeli Minister of Housing who announced a new area of settlements near Jerusalem.

The Palestinian official said Israel's announcement shows a systematic aggression policy and another sign of war in Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Quraie warned against Israeli procedures which will delay any chance of real efforts toward peace in the region.

Quraie also called on all international parties involved to bare responsibility of the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories.

John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator expressed shock at the living conditions in the Gaza Strip and deplored the current restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods in and out of the area.

"I have been shocked by the grim and miserable things that I have seen and heard today, which are the result of current restrictions and the limitations on the number of goods that are being allowed into Gaza,' said Mr. Holmes during a day-long visit to the Gaza Strip. 'Around 80 percent of the population is dependant on food aid from international organizations. Poverty and unemployment are increasing and the private sector has more or less collapsed. Only ten percent of the amount of goods that entered Gaza a year ago is being permitted to enter now," he said.

In UAE, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan received at the Al Bateen Palace the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.

Abu Dhabi crown prince and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was present at the meeting, during which the Palestinian president briefed Sheikh Khalifa about latest developments in Palestine.

The UAE president reiterated his country's support for all efforts being made to push forward the peace process to achieve positive results that would boost peace in the region and lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with all signed agreements and the Arab peace initiative.

Sheikh Khalifa called on all Palestinian factions to listen to the sense of reason and to put national interest and unity before any parochial interest in order to achieve the Palestinian objectives that have been cherished for so long.

The Palestinian president praised the UAE, under the wise leadership of Sheikh Khalifa, for its positive stances in support of the Palestinian people with the aim of alleviating the sufferings brought on them by the Israeli occupation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised the UAE for its support for Palestinians who are now passing through exceptional difficult circumstances.

In a statement before departing Abu Dhabi to Bahrain, the Chairman of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) said his talks with President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed prospects for the Middle East peace process and latest internal Palestinian developments, mainly the economic situation.

He added that agenda of the upcoming Arab summit in Damascus, Syria, was also discussed.

On dialogue with HAMAS, the Palestinian president called on HAMAS to commit itself to legitimacy in Gaza.

''If that happened, we will be ready for early elections....so far we have not heard any encouraging words from them. On the contrary tragic events took place with Egypt,'' he added.

He indicated that negotiations with Israel were slow. ''We can't speak about progress in the peace process ...we hope that some progress would take place this year.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas renewed his call for the Palestinian political parties, topped by Hamas to reunify the Palestinian leadership on condition that Hamas should withdraw from the overthrow in Gaza strip and commitment to official laws and principle.

Sana'a University, Abbas made reference to the latest developments in Palestine and stages the Palestinian issue has witnessed aiming to liberate the Palestinian territories from the Israeli occupation.

He wished for the Yemeni people more progress, wishing the Yemeni sustaining position to last. "When we are in Sana'a, we feel that we are in Gaza or Naples or al-Quds" Abbas said.

He introduced the attendants to the events concern the Palestinian issue beginning from the revolution of 1965 till now, making reference to the Annapolis Conference and Paris conference that was held for seeking political and economic support.

He showed his acceptance of the 1967 borders, saying that the whole world is with us.

"The negotiation has been launched quietly, slowly and carefully" Abbas said. "If we got noting that dose not means we lost because we have not already got any thing to lose", affirming that our resistance would continue till we gain our rights.

Regarding the interior affairs, the success Hamas has achieved in the Legislative Council's election was "surprised" but it's a fact now that is democracy.

Hamas has formed its government but it led to an international blockade and no penny has reach to our banks or corporations, he said, adding that then we and Hamas have stayed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for two weeks discussing every point until we agreed on forming a national government. After some months the prime minister carried out achieved the overthrow in Gaza and followed with the Israeli siege.

He confirmed, although the overturn, the Palestinian authority still have the complete responsibility on all the employees of Gaza.

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin received Prince Saud Alfaisal, the Foreign Minister.

The foreign minister conveyed greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, to the president and their best wishes to the Russian people.

The president commended the Saudi-Russian relations and the role played by Saudi Arabia at international and regional levels.

During the visit he held a meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss with him a number of standing files concerning the Middle East.

A diplomatic source said that the Minister will hand over to President Putin a message from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz the contents of which were not disclosed.

The source added that Prince Saud Al Faisal also discussed with President Putin issues concerning Iraq, Lebanon and the Iranian Nuclear Issue.

Vladimir Putin has staked out his claim to a leadership role in Russian for the foreseeable future.

Speaking at the final annual news conference of his eight-year presidency, Putin told reporters he would have plenty of power if he becomes prime minister, as expected, in March.

Putin is barred by the Russian constitution from running for a third consecutive term as president. He has entrusted that role to his favored successor, Dmitry Medvedev, who is expected to be elected handily in the country's March 2 presidential vote.

Putin hints that he could remain prime minister for as long as he sees fit and, as such, would have the power to achieve the goals he has set for Russia.

He also said there is nothing to prevent him from returning to the presidency in the future.

"The premiership is not a transitional post,'' Putin said, adding that he had recently set out goals for Russia's development through 2020.

"If I can see that in this capacity I can fulfill these goals, I will work as long as possible. There is no other answer.''

Russia wants good relations with the West, but will stand up to any perceived threat from the United States or Europe, he said.

As in previous years, the popular Putin peppered the news conference with warm words for Russia and its people _ while choosing strong language to lambaste the West and his critics.

European countries supporting independence for the Serbian province of Kosovo should be ashamed of their double standards, he said.

Putin, who has presided over a resurgence fuelled largely by energy revenues, proudly reported that "2007 was successful'' for Russia in economic terms.

Russia has become the world's seventh-largest economy, Putin said as he touted increased incomes and 8.1 per cent growth in gross domestic product. But he called for stronger efforts to combat inflation, which exceeded projections.

"I don't see any serious failures,'' he said when asked about his main successes and failures as president. "All the goals that were set were reached, and the tasks fulfilled.''

While the president sets the main course for the country, he said, "the highest executive power in the country is the government of the Russian Federation'' -- which he would head as prime minister.

As in previous news conferences, Putin unsparingly criticized western actions he characterized as unprovoked threats to Russian or international security.

Speaking about U.S. plans for missile interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic, Putin said Russia's response would be to "retarget our missiles toward a system that we aren't creating.''

"We are warning people ahead of time: If you take this step, then we will make this step,'' Putin said.

He also lashed out angrily at the United States and other NATO countries over their refusal to ratify an amended version of the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. Putin suspended Russia's participation in the pact in December in retaliation.

With Kosovo expected to declare independence within days, Putin said the U.S. argument that the Serbian province was a special case is a "lie'' and warned that recognizing its independence would set a dangerous precedent.

"I don't want to say anything that would offend anyone, but for 40 years northern Cyprus has practically had independence,'' Putin said. "Why aren't you recognizing that? Aren't you ashamed, Europeans, for having these double standards?''

Some 1,000 journalists packed the Kremlin's Round Hall for the news conference. It lasted four hours and 40 minutes, over an hour longer than the record set last year.

On the other hand, Palestine's Ambassador to the Kingdom Jamal Abdullatif Al-Shobaki described the kingdom's position regarding the Palestinian issue as a continuation to the solid support of the Palestinians.

In a press release, Al-Shobaki praised the Saudi cabinet confirmation that the international community should adopt a stricter stand regarding the position in Palestine and the call to protect the Palestinians.