05 April, Sharm El Shiekh, Egypt- Sri Lanka pledged its support for the Palestinian cause at the second summit of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED II) which brought together foreign Ministers of 50 countries.

"We are concerned about the Palestinian issue and the President himself wanted the foreign ministry to advocate the Palestinian cause, which we believe to be legitimate. We pledge our support and will remain committed," Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told his counterpart at a bilateral meeting with the Palestinian during AMED II.

Ryad El Malki said that Palestinian authorities were finding it hard to retain the support of the Arab world for a peaceful settlement in the face of constant violations of Israelis, who continue to expand settlements in the West Bank.

"They (Israel) keep provoking the extremists by not adhering to sanctions recommended by the international community and then use the extremists’ hostility for further incursions into our territory," he said.

The recent attempt at recommencing peace talks had fallen apart after Israel continued to build settlements one of the preconditions for talks was that Israel would halt its incursions into Palestine territory.

"We are trying are best to toe the moderate line but are finding it extremely difficult to keep negotiations on the table with our Arab allies losing patience with Israel’s violations and threatening to withdraw all support for a negotiated settlement. We only hope the visit of U.S. President Bush will bring back Israel to the negotiation table, because Israel may listen only to the U.S. to end its unlawful excursions. Russia, too, hopes to hold a conference for us (Israeli and Palestinian) hopefully by June. If nothing tangible happens in 2008, nothing may happen at all for a long time to come," Malki said.

"It has gone beyond everybody’s comprehension," Bogollagama said, adding that it was important to support the Palestinian administration especially when they were trying hard for a peaceful settlement.

Several foreign ministers took up Palestine’s cause at AMED II. (DD)