Palestine calls back envoy who joined Hafiz Saeed rally in Pak
NEWDELHI: Palestine on Saturday recalled its ambassador to Pakistan after India expressed anger and concern over his presence next to Lashkar-e-taiba founder Hafiz Saeed at a rally organised by extremist and radical groups in Rawalpindi.
India issued a strongly worded demarche after photos of Walid Abu Ali sharing the stage with Saeed and addressing the rally organised by the Difa-e-pakistan Council (DPC) were circulated on social media on Friday.
Barely hours after the Indian statement, the Palestinian ambassador to India, Adnan Abu Al Haij, said his government “supported India in its fight against terrorism” and had decided to call back its Pakistan envoy.
The Palestinian foreign ministry issued a statement in Arabic late on Saturday explaining that the envoy in Pakistan was recalled on the “direct instructions” of President Mahmoud Abbas.
The envoy’s participation in the rally “in the presence of individuals accused of supporting terrorism is an unintended mistake, but not justified,” the statement added
A statement issued by India’s external affairs ministry said the Palestinian side “conveyed deep regrets over the incident and assured the government of India that they are taking serious cognisance of their ambassador’s presence” at the rally.
It said that the Palestinian side had conveyed that it “highly values its relationship with India and stands with us in the war against terrorism, and will not engage with those who commit acts of terror against India”.