Palestine to recall Ambassador from Pakistan over Hafiz Saeed issue, claims India

Palestine to recall Ambassador from Pakistan over Hafiz Saeed issue, claims India

NEW DELHI - Palestine has conveyed regrets over the incident of Hafiz Saeed and its Ambassador sharing stage in Pakistan and assured the that they are taking serious cognizance of their Ambassador's presence at this event," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, Zee News has reported.

In a strongly-worded demarche to the Palestinian government, India had reminded them that Saeed is a UN-designated terrorist and the ambassador's association with the JuD chief is "unacceptable".

"Government of India has strongly conveyed to the Palestinian side that the Palestinian Ambassador in Pakistan's association with terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is designated by the United Nations, at an event in Rawalpindi on 29.12.2017, is unacceptable," the MEA statement read.

Apparently miffed with the photos of Palestinian Ambassador sharing the dais with the Hafiz Saeed had earlier registered a strong protest with the Palestinian authorities.

Acknowledging India's concerns, the Palestinian authorities said that ''they will deal with this matter appropriately.''

''It was also conveyed that Palestine highly values its relationship with India and stands with us in the war against terrorism, '' the MEA statement said.

''Palestine has decided to recall its Ambassador to Pakistan, Walid Abu Ali, for sharing the stage with Hafiz Saeed,'' Palestinian Ambassador to India Adnan Abu Al Haija later confirmed.