Well done, now support our statehood bid, Palestinians tell Obama.....Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt says US influence is not needed in the region

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday issued a statement congratulating US President Barack Obama on his election victory and encouraging him to continue his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said he hoped Obama’s second term in office would see the establishment of a Palestinian state. Erekat added that, with the Palestinians determined to bid for nonmember state status at the UN this month, he expected the president to show support for the move.

“We have decided to take the Palestinian issue to the UN and we hope that Obama will stand by this Palestinian right,” Erekat said. “What Obama needs to do is stop the Israeli settlement policy and not act to stop the Palestinian activity at the UN.”

Palestinian rival Hamas called on Obama to alter his country’s foreign policy concerning Arab and Palestinian affairs. The group’s spokesman urged the president to stop favoring Israel and examine the “Palestinians’ legal rights.

[link to www.timesofisrael.com]