Abbas: Israel must return to 1967 borders

DAKAR, Senegal, March 15 (UPI) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing an international meeting of Muslim leaders, said that peace depends on Israel returning to its 1967 borders.

Abbas called on the 57 members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to support the Palestinians and the peace process, WAFA reported. He spoke at the summit meeting Thursday in Dakar, Senegal.

Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza during the Six-Day War in 1967 and gained control of all of Jerusalem. The current Israeli leaders are unwilling to give up any part of Jerusalem and want to keep some areas in the West Bank they say are necessary for Israel's security.

Abbas denounced recent Israeli military operations in Gaza, saying that scores of women and children had been killed along with Hamas fighters.