The president of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), Paulo Sérgio Atallah called today the Palestinian ambassador in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, Musa Odeh, to express his condolences for the passing of the president of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Yasser Arafat.
“Arafat was an emblematic figure, I believe his death is a great loss to the Arab world,” Atallah said.
For him, according to all signs, the power transition in Palestine will be carried out peacefully and democratically.
The president of the Palestinian parliament, Rouhi Fatouh, should take charge and summon elections in 60 days.
Today the former Palestinian prime minister, Mahmud Abbas, was elected president of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), entity that was led by Arafat since the 1960s.
“We already had the expectation for a balanced transition, according to the principle of self-determination of the people,” stated Atallah.
The CCAB president emphasized that the relationship with Palestine is very important for Brazil, which supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Proof of this, according to Atallah, is that the Brazilian government is sending a high rank delegation to the wake in Cairo (Egypt), led by the Chief of Staff, José Dirceu.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will not be present since he will be hosting the Chinese president Hu Jintao, who arrives today in Brazil.
The country should also send a delegation for Arafat’s funeral in Ramallah, in the West Bank.
Atallah added that he now expects international leaderships “to reflect in a deeper way” about finding a solution for the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis.
“A solution for the Palestinian matter is fundamental to reach peace in the region,” he stated.
ANBA ”“ Brazil-Arab News Agency