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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (right) reviewing a guard of honor upon his arrival at Beirut airport where he is greeted by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman (left) on Thursday. (Getty Images)
Last update - 22:48 28/08/2008
Abbas: All Palestinians should be given right to return home
By The Associated Press
Tags: Abbas, Palestinian refugees 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters in Lebanon on Thursday that all Palestinians should be given the right to return home.

The highly contentious notion of a Palestinian "right of return" is one key issues in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians for peace agreement.

"The refugees should have the right of return to their homeland and we are negotiating this with the Israelis. I have to say we are not with permanent settlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. We are against permanent resettlement," Abbas told reporters after meeting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on a visit to Beirut.
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Abbas also said he rejects the idea that Palestinian refugees might be forced to stay in Lebanon permanently.

The Palestinian president added that he supports all decisions made by the Lebanese government on how to deal with Palestinian militants outside the refugee camps.

"The camps in Lebanon are part of the Lebanese territories and part of the Lebanese government's responsibility, regarding security and non-security matters," Abbas said. "We are ready to cooperate by all means because we do not see ourselves as being in charge of security inside the camps," he said.

Impoverished and densely packed Palestinian camps have become fertile ground for Palestinian factions vying for control.

About 400,000 Palestinian refugees and their descendants live in twelve refugee camps around Lebanon. The refugee camps were set up for Palestinians displaced during the 1948 War of Independence that led to the creation of the state of Israel.

The fate of millions of Palestinian refugees is one of the most difficult issues in Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. Israel has refused to accept the return of refugees, believing that they should be resettled in a future Palestinian state or the places where they now live.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said this week that the right of return is incompatible with the creation of a Palestinian state.

Many Lebanese are opposed the permanent resettlement of Palestinian refugees, fearing they would tip the country's delicate sectarian balance.


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      1.   Whose behind the idea? 16:44  |  Refugee 28/08/08
      2.   Understanding the concept of ?right of return.? 17:04  |  Jean Van Daem 28/08/08
      3.   But the conflict continues 17:34  |  jackie 28/08/08
      4.   # 1 refugee....why should people born in Lebanon 17:51  |  Lynn 28/08/08
      5.   time for the UN to stop this nonsense 17:53  |  Lynn 28/08/08
      6.   #1 Refugee 18:05  |  Robert 28/08/08
      7.   Just another way for abbas to say he is not interested in peace 18:14  |  Arie 28/08/08
      8.   I am sure Israel would allow real refugees to return 18:20  |  zionist forever 28/08/08
      9.   Who is a refugee and for how long ? 18:25  |  Nora 28/08/08
      10.   Of Course They Should Return...to the Pal. State 18:49  |  JP 28/08/08
      11.   How long is one considered a refugee? 19:04  |  T A Sheppard 28/08/08
      12.   a "right?" 19:08  |  Jordan Magill 28/08/08
      13.   The Right of Return is not only for Jews/Israelis 19:11  |  POP 28/08/08
      14.   The right of return is unnegotiable 19:12  |  Palestinian Forever 28/08/08
      15.   Refugees 19:22  |  Hilda 28/08/08
      16.   Palestinian right of return? 19:39  |  David Nigel Braham 28/08/08
      17.   Refugees and Peace 19:41  |  Rachel Carter 28/08/08
      18.   jackie 3 19:48  |  potobac 28/08/08
      19.   #14 - Palestinian Forever - Well then... 19:49  |  WYSIWYG 28/08/08
      20.   Right is Unnegotiable...In fact, its totally off the table. 19:51  |  JP 28/08/08
      21.   Right of Return Is Not Sacrosanct 19:54  |  Brad 28/08/08
      22.   The Right of Return is One Conferred by Israel, Not the UN 19:55  |  JP 28/08/08
      23.   400,000? 20:11  |  Paul Freedman 28/08/08
      24.   From what I understand about half already have citizenship. 20:15  |  David G 28/08/08
      25.   #14 Palestinian forever....nope, not sacrosanct 20:15  |  Lynn 28/08/08
      26.   Right of Return 20:18  |  Tomas 28/08/08
      27.   David G: Financial Burdens of Refugeeship 20:29  |  Brad 28/08/08
      28.   Where there a will... 20:31  |  Joseph 28/08/08
      29.   Right of return 20:34  |  Ben Azai 28/08/08
      30.   #20 Tomas....yes, I leave my country to travel 20:36  |  Lynn 28/08/08
      31.   # 4 Lynn 20:37  |  maoriboy 28/08/08
      32.   # 19 Paul Freedman...Abbas rejected the offer 20:39  |  Lynn 28/08/08
      33.   Abbas, another petty tyrant 20:46  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/08/08
      34.   Take back ALL of the Mandate 20:51  |  Jeff 28/08/08
      35.   Why are Palestinians considered such dumb clods of earth? 20:53  |  DavidAK 28/08/08
      36.   I Agree 20:56  |  Leah 28/08/08
      37.   #31 maoriboy.....so, to make sure the politicos 20:56  |  Lynn 28/08/08
      38.   Lynn - why should people born out of Israel.... 20:59  |  Palestinian Brit 28/08/08
      39.   Lynn - and where exactly is your home? 21:05  |  Palestinian Brit 28/08/08
      40.   Thomas - since when did Israel care for any UN resolution? 21:08  |  Palestinian Brit 28/08/08
      41.   Yes, indeed they should!!! 21:12  |  Free Gilad Shalit 28/08/08
      42.   Abbas, not ready for a REAL deal. 21:22  |  SDHD 28/08/08
      43.   25 Lynn the self appointed spokesperson 21:29  |  Palestinian Forever 28/08/08
      44.   Return? 21:31  |  Gregor 28/08/08
      45.   #27 your right but life is not fair 21:32  |  David G 28/08/08
      46.   Way to go Abbas 21:32  |  johnj 28/08/08
      47.   Lebanese Palestinians should be given options... 21:34  |  Smadar 28/08/08
      48.   who really suffers the pal? nobody 21:48  |  guil 28/08/08
      49.   UN GA resolution 194 21:49  |  Anton 28/08/08
      50.   Maoriboy 31 22:01  |  ChanahS 28/08/08
      51.   All Jews and Palestinians should have the right of return 22:10  |  Home 28/08/08
      52.   right of return to where 22:10  |  peter 28/08/08
      53.   brad re right of return 22:25  |  potobac 28/08/08
      54.   # 34 ChanahS 22:26  |  maoriboy 28/08/08
      55.   a state for you, a state for them 22:27  |  dav zee 28/08/08
      56.   UN GA resolutions aren`t laws & aren`t enforcable 22:30  |  JP 28/08/08
      57.   # 5 Lynn 2nd try 22:31  |  maoriboy 28/08/08
      58.   Abbas reminds us why Palestinians will remain stateless 22:32  |  Gina 28/08/08
      59.   Right of Return is a personal and inalienable right 22:49  |  Ben Alofs 28/08/08
      60.   If that`s the case, Palestinian Forever, 22:55  |  Truthteller 28/08/08
      61.   All Palestinians have the right to return home to 22:56  |  Maria 28/08/08
      62.   In principle, Abbas is right. Israel must address principle 23:00  |  Ivar 28/08/08
      63.   No Room For Two 23:10  |  Shimon Cleopas 28/08/08
      64.   SO EVEN IF THEY HAVE A STATE 23:19  |  Jeremy 28/08/08
      65.   Anton # 37 23:19  |  Philippe 28/08/08
      66.   Peter # 40 23:22  |  Philippe 28/08/08
      67.   King David was also a Palestinian. He must be in 23:24  |  Israeli citizen 28/08/08
      68.   Help Palestinians return 2 Egypt Genesis10-13 23:30  |  sam 28/08/08
      69.   Return ? 23:31  |  Shimeon 28/08/08
      70.   what country 23:45  |  alan lee 28/08/08
      71.   Anton, # 37 23:46  |  Michael 28/08/08
      72.   Abbas overstepping his authority 23:46  |  ChanahS 28/08/08
      73.   Ivar, #47 23:50  |  Michael 28/08/08
      74.   Ben Alofs plans to redistribute Europe 23:55  |  peter 28/08/08
      75.   doesn`t he have own problems to worry about the rest 00:03  |  hal tripp 29/08/08
      76.   Ben Alofs - Israel`s admission to UN not conditional 00:06  |  JP 29/08/08
      77.   #42 maoriboy....it is an absolute disgrace 00:11  |  Lynn 29/08/08
      78.   # 33 Cipora JK......exactly right!!! 00:21  |  Lynn 29/08/08
      79.   #47 Ivar...the Saudi Plan is a non-starter 00:24  |  Lynn 29/08/08
      80.   RIGHT OF RETURN 00:25  |  Roberto 29/08/08
      81.   time for Abbas to stop the ambiguity game reg. ROR - 00:25  |  ivo 29/08/08
      82.   Ben Alofs - inventor of rights - read the documwents you refer to 00:25  |  17 29/08/08
      83.   Ivar - stop denying ethnic russians estonian citizenship 00:29  |  17 29/08/08
      84.   Lebanon Has a Lot of Factions 00:30  |  Ron 29/08/08
      85.   IVAR Abbas has caught you out hasn`t he?? He says what means!! 00:46  |  PETER SM 29/08/08
      86.   right to return home 00:50  |  Ralph 29/08/08
      87.   Ivar #47: no, it`s on the principle that he is wrong - 00:52  |  ivo 29/08/08
      88.   37 00:56  |  zionist forever 29/08/08
      89.   good for the goose 01:08  |  james 29/08/08
      90.   Mr. Abbas is barking at the wrong tree 01:08  |  Expelled Jew 29/08/08
      91.   Unique Assertion 01:09  |  Jess Ghannam 29/08/08
      92.   To Arie 01:16  |  jean marie 29/08/08
      93.   The right to lived a decent life 01:16  |  Mark Lincoln 29/08/08
      94.   #40 peter rabid 01:21  |  Boycott 29/08/08
      95.   To Nora 01:22  |  jean marie 29/08/08
      96.   RIGHT OF RETURN FOR SHALIT 01:29  |  jean marie 29/08/08
      97.   Abbas: All Palestinians should be given right to return home 01:30  |  R.A. Gurman 29/08/08
      98.   Anton – your post is based false propaganda 01:48  |  Expelled Jew 29/08/08
      99.   Fer cryin` out loud! HE`S IN LEBANON!!! 01:49  |  Johnboy 29/08/08
      100.   To Lynn 02:03  |  Gaspar 29/08/08
      101.   Ben Alof and the "Law" 02:05  |  Bilbi 29/08/08
      102.   HE IS NOT IN THE POSITION TO PUSH IT 02:05  |  indrajaya 29/08/08
      103.   They ARE home 02:22  |  steve dill 29/08/08
      104.   How would the Right of Return ... 02:30  |  Jasper 29/08/08
      105.   B.ALOFSe is no such LAW UNSCR 242 superseeds it all 02:35  |  PETER SM 29/08/08
      106.   #33, Cipora Julianna K., one problem though 02:38  |  Mark B. 29/08/08
      107.   it`s PALESTINE and not israel 02:51  |  VIPER 29/08/08
      108.   David & ALL- Israel will not pay twice, Arabs owe this debt 02:55  |  Expelled Jew 29/08/08
      109.   Too bad you did nor want to live in peace with your neighbours 03:28  |  Anton`s neighbour 29/08/08
      110.   they are not Lebanons responsibility 03:35  |  Hadi 29/08/08
      111.   potobac @#18 03:46  |  Akiva P 29/08/08
      112.   David G @# 34 04:10  |  Akiva P 29/08/08
      113.   David & All – We will not pay twice. Arabs owe Jews a debt 04:12  |  Expelled Jew 29/08/08
      114.   Anton of Gaza City @# 37 04:16  |  Akiva P 29/08/08
      115.   To the Censor 04:18  |  Mark Lincoln 29/08/08
      116.   #35 johnj. Sarcastic or nit? 04:33  |  dovvod 29/08/08
      117.   #37 Anton 04:44  |  Smadar 29/08/08
      118.   Rachel C, David G - Maria & All - See it for yourself 04:45  |  RW 29/08/08
      119.   ALL PALIS GO HOME: TO SAUDI ARABIA!!! 04:59  |  Moshe Yisraeli 29/08/08
      120.   Refugees must be allowed to return 05:20  |  Janice 29/08/08
      121.   Yes,the palestinians do have a right to return home and Israel is 05:27  |  glenna 29/08/08
      122.   Return elsewhere 05:59  |  JaN 29/08/08
      123.   The right of return is nonnegotiable 06:15  |  Ilan 29/08/08
      124.   Right of return is in the UDHR - article 13 06:51  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      125.   # 16 David Nigel Braham. Your post is propaganda 07:29  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      126.   #21 Brad. Right of return is sacrosanct for democracies 07:47  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      127.   israel is stuck... 07:59  |  ravi 29/08/08
      128.   # 7 Arie 08:01  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      129.   #6...exactly 08:09  |  Nechama 29/08/08
      130.   Shotgun Marriage 08:14  |  Shimon Cleopas 29/08/08
      131.   # 4 Lynn 08:54  |  Lebanese girl 29/08/08
      132.   distortion of historical facts by the associated press 09:10  |  scallywag 29/08/08
      133.   # 46 Maria 09:23  |  Lebanese girl 29/08/08
      134.   # 4 Lynn. Ignorant as usual 09:33  |  Slimmy 29/08/08
      135.   # 53 Glenna 09:38  |  Lebanese girl 29/08/08
      136.   FERRIMAN there is NO law for return and UNSCR 242 excludes it! 09:55  |  PETER SM 29/08/08
      137.   IVAR Abbas says what his position is.No amount 10:00  |  PETER SM 29/08/08
      138.   To make a a better world 10:12  |  Jew- and Bookburner 29/08/08
      139.   RIGHT OF RETURN 10:48  |  Helmut Smidt 29/08/08
      140.   Ivar 10:59  |  zionist forever 29/08/08
      141.   janice 11:35  |  zionist forever 29/08/08
      142.   # 120 Helmut Smidt 11:45  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      143.   #124 Peter SM. Shooting from the hip, again 12:01  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      144.   #122 Scallwag`s distortions, or ignorance 12:18  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      145.   The right to determine our own criteria 13:38  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 29/08/08
      146.   Lynn your #4 13:48  |  x-ray 29/08/08
      147.   Lebanese girl 13:50  |  israeli girl 29/08/08
      148.   PalBrit 13:56  |  x-ray 29/08/08
      149.   Lynn 14:26  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 29/08/08
      150.   #94 Boycott is Labhras - poor thing 14:30  |  hare 29/08/08
      151.   ben alofs - right of return 15:03  |  scallywag 29/08/08
      152.   nick ferriman 15:28  |  scallywag 29/08/08
      153.   Abbass is absolutely right be given the right of return 19:10  |  Dutch 29/08/08
      154.   to haaretz 19:38  |  leb girl 29/08/08
      155.   #151 Scallywag 19:58  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      156.   # 152 Scallywag 20:10  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      157.   # 148 X-ray 20:18  |  Nick Ferriman 29/08/08
      158.   nick ferriman 00:05  |  scallywag 30/08/08
      159.   akiva v 111 03:26  |  potobac 30/08/08
      160.   again nick ferriman 10:43  |  scallywag 30/08/08
      161.   # 158 Scallywag 12:34  |  Nick Ferriman 31/08/08
      162.   #160 Scallywag 12:35  |  Nick Ferriman 31/08/08
      163.   #135 show me in your Word of God where He says He is equal in 07:11  |  glenna 26/09/08
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