Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat has rejected a plan for a Palestinian state in provisional borders drafted by the Israeli foreign minister.
The Palestinians seek to create an independent state on the territories of West Bank, East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Israeli media unveiled on Sunday a 'map of a Palestinian state' drafted by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in an effort to resolve the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict.
"After a Palestinian state has been established in provisional borders, it would be possible to resume diplomatic negotiations and maybe reach agreements on transferring additional territory to the Palestinian state," Ha'aretz quoted a senior Foreign Ministry official as saying.
Referring to the proposal, the Palestinian negotiator said: "Lieberman's plan came after the Israelis felt embarrassed and isolated by the international community, which has gradually supported the establishment of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital."
"This is why they are trying to turn the ball over to the Palestinian and Arab side," ynetnews.com quoted Erekat's statement.
Earlier this week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reaffirmed Russia's endorsement of an independent Palestinian state. Erekat described the statement as "an historic move to make the Palestinians proud for a very long time to come."
GAZA, January 23 (RIA Novosti)
