PA condemns FM's comments about Abbas as 'barbaric'

Abbas advisor calls Lieberman a "thug"; FM says Abbas, not settlements is the obstacle to peace, it would be a blessing if he quit his position.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Foreign Minsiter Avigdor Lieberman 311 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Uriel Sinai)
Foreign Minsiter Avigdor Lieberman 311 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Uriel Sinai)
The Palestinian Authority on Monday condemned as "barbaric" Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's statements about PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
Accusing Lieberman of being a "thug," Abbas advisor Nimer Hammad said that the foreign minister was "speaking with a jungle mentality."
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Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told reporters in Jerusalem on Monday, that It would be a blessing if Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas quit his position, adding that the PA president is a hurdle to peace.
"It is [Abbas] who is the stumbling block to peace and not the settlements," he said.
Hammad expressed "regret" that Israelis had voted for someone like Lieberman.
"The real obstacle to peace is not President Abbas or the Palestinian policy, but Israeli policies and Lieberman's arrogant statements," he said.
Abbas's Fatah faction also denounced Lieberman's statements and warned that any harm caused to the PA president would "turn the region upside down."
Fatah described the statements as "state terrorism practiced by the occupation government."
Fatah spokesman Ahmed Assaf claimed that Lieberman's statements were aimed at paving the road for targeting Abbas.