CAIRO, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Arab League officials will be discussing means to secure a $50-million monthly assistance to the Palestinian Authority amid threats to cut off Western aid.
Arab League Secretary-General Assistant for Political Affairs, Ahmed bin Heli, said Saturday the committee in charge of following up Arab summit resolutions will meet in Algeria next week to discuss the vital issue for the PA, which is reeling under an acute financial crisis.
He said the committee will raise recommendations for taking measures against Arab countries which have failed to meet their financial commitments to the Palestinians.
Following the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in 2001, Arab countries endorsed commitments to secure $600 million in annual financial assistance to the PA.
The Arab League announcement is expected to trigger U.S. protests following Washington's call to cease assistance to the PA before Hamas recognizes Israel and abandons violence.
Hamas, which won a landslide victory in last month's Palestinian general elections, is expected to form the next government.
The Washington Post reported that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, due to visit the Middle East next week, will ask Arab countries to refrain from offering assistance to the Palestinians unless Hamas renounces violence.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Mousa said Saturday he discussed with European Union Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Javier Solana the issue of European aid to the Palestinians during his visit to Cairo earlier this week.
Mousa said Solana assured him EU assistance will continue to flow for at least the next three months.
