Palestine’s ambassador to South Africa, Hanan Jarrar, today handed Malawi’s newly-elected President Lazarus Chakwera during a meeting at the presidential palace in Lilongwe a special letter from President Mahmoud Abbas.
During their meeting, Jarrar briefed Chakwera on the latest political developments on the Palestinian arena and discussed with him his recent announcement about his intention to open an embassy in occupied Jerusalem.
Jarrar stressed the status of Jerusalem in international law and United Nations resolutions related to Jerusalem, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 476 (1980) which prohibits any state from opening or relocate its embassy to Jerusalem.
Chakwera thanked President Abbas for his letter, which serves to bolster bilateral Palestinian-Malawian relations, pledging to examine it and submit an official response.
He also reiterated his country’s official position in support of achieving the two-state solution in accordance the UN resolutions and international law.
Chakwera had announced following elections in June this year that he would establish a diplomatic mission with Israel in Jerusalem.
Malawi’s Foreign Minister Eisenhower Mkaka on Tuesday said the embassy would be open by the summer of 2021 and described the step as a “bold and significant step”.
