Ramallah: The Palestinian Liberation Organization will remain the sole representative of the Palestinian nation until statehood is realised and continue to be the representative of the Palestinian Diaspora, according to Zakariyah Al Agha, head of the Palestinian Refugees' Affairs Department.
In an interview with Gulf News, Al Agha said that PLO remains relevant even after statehood as the Jewish Agency still represents the Jews in Diaspora. Addressing the Diaspora, Al Agha says that the creation of a Palestinian state will not weaken their position.
"On the contrary, the future state will support them and play a central role in defending their rights wherever they live," he said.
He added its the fundamental right of each Palestinian living in diaspora to return to his homeland.
"The issue of the Palestinian refugees is very complicated. Each case will require different types of compensation. Refugees unable to return, refugees who do not wish to return and documented losses of property of in the 1948 areas will be taken into account.
Recognition obligatory
In Cairo, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers that the recognition of a Palestinian state was "not an option but an obligation."
Erdogan also condemned Israeli policies in his address to a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo on Tuesday.
The Turkish prime minister was visiting Egypt at the start of a North African tour aimed at cementing Turkey's standing in the region following the "Arab Spring" uprisings.
With input from agencies
