Malta base for talks on Palestinian unity government

A Palestinian leader used Malta as a base for negotiations aimed at forming a government of national unity in the Palestinian Authority.

Mustafa Barghouti, who contested the Palestinian presidential elections and is today a member of the Palestinian legislative council, left Malta on Wednesday for Gaza to meet faction leaders to inform them on the success of his negotiations.

Among the persons he contacted from Malta were Palestinian President Abu Mazen and senior factional leaders. It is understood that the coming days are crucial so that agreement will be reached on the formation of this national unity government, enabling the EU and the US to change their position after Hamas was elected to govern the Palestinian Authority.

Mr Barghouti told The Sunday Times that if there is a breakthrough and agreement is secured on the formation of a national unity government, the next step would be for pressure to be brought to convene an international conference on Palestine.

He maintained that Malta could be an ideal venue for this conference. Mr Barghouti also suggested this during a meeting with Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Among the many meetings he had were with Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, President Emeritus Guido de Marco and the US, Libyan and Palestinian ambassadors.

Mr Barghouti's visit was co-ordinated by Malta Labour Party international secretary Joe Mifsud and he also addressed a gathering at the National Labour Centre.