Non-Aligned movement affirms support for Palestine

The 16th Non-Aligned movement summit held in the Iranian capital Tehran Friday concluded its agenda with issuing three statements concerning the Palestinian cause.     The first statement affirmed the Palestinian people’s lawful rights, the independence of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital and refugees rights to return.   The summit adopted the Ramallah statement expected to be issued following the Non-Aligned movement meeting that was canceled after Israel prevented the participating countries from entering Palestine. The Ramallah statement asserted the sole legitimacy of the PLO over the Palestinian people under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas. It supported the efforts to achieve the Palestinian reconciliation according to the Cairo and Doha agreements. The third statement, issued for the first time by the movement, expressed solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners and called for their immediate release.