Abdullah bin Zayed takes part in Arab Mideast peace initiative committee's Doha meet

Doha - July 3, 2012 (WAM) - The Minister of foreign affairs H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Saturday took part in the Arab Mideast peace initiative committee meeting in Doha Qatar which was chaired by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and secretary-general of the Arab League Nabil Al Arabi were present at the meeting which discussed Abbas's proposals on next steps in the peace process with Israel. The meeting also saw consultations on ways to back the Palestinian cause and face the challenges of the peace process. Top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that a US$100 million "safety net" was approved at the meeting to help the Palestinian Authority if Israel follows through with threats to block critical tax funds as punishment for the statehood drive by Palestinians. The Arab League secretary general was tasked with following up on this matter and coordinating the effort with Arab countries, according to Erekat. – Emirates News Agency, WAM