A senior Palestinian official said after US President George W. Bush's speech to the UN General Assembly today that Washington should translate its backing for Palestinian statehood into actions, and stop backing "Israeli aggression."
Bush said the United States remained committed to an "independent and democratic" Palestine and pledged to work to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
"We are asking President Bush to translate his words into actions as soon as possible," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told journalists.
"This is the only way to security, peace and calm in the Middle East, by implementing UN resolutions, especially on Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories," Erakat said.
"We also ask for the United States to stop its support for Israel, in order to stop Israeli aggression," he said.
Bush also made a veiled attack on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, whose cabinet - including Erakat - resigned Wednesday rather than face defeat in a parliamentary vote of confidence.
The US president, who already called for Arafat to be replaced in a major Middle East policy speech in June, said the Palestinians deserved a "responsive" leadership.
AFP