MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti) - Officials in Moscow hail Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank as a historic move paving the way for Arab-Israeli reconciliation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release Tuesday. Israel's pullout should ultimately lead to "the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security," the ministry said.
Israel completed the withdrawal of its settlements and security forces from Gaza on Monday, bringing an end to 38 years of occupation. According to the ministry, this was possible "thanks to the courageous decision by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' resolute actions to ensure Israel's peaceful and well-coordinated withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."
The ministry said that as a member of the Middle East Quartet, Russia would continue its efforts to bring about an Israeli-Palestinian settlement, fostering political dialogue based on the road map for peace.
