Arafat says Israel will never defeat the Palestinian cause

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has said he is sure that the might of the Israeli army will never defeat the Palestinian’s fight for freedom and justice.

Mr Arafat’s comments were contained in a statement read to a conference of European leftist groups organised to show solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

In the statement, the Palestinian leader said: "Be sure that we are not a defeated people. We have paid a high price, but at the end the Israeli army will be defeated because it represents an unjust cause, and we will win because we represent a just cause.

"We are fighting for freedom, liberty, justice and sovereignty and we are sure we will free Palestine. The days is not far when peace will prevail in the land of peace and when we will all march to Jerusalem hand in hand and when a new era will begin."

The statement was read out to the conference in Cyprus by Hani al-Hassan, a Palestinian representative, who declined to reveal how the message was transmitted to him.

After reading out Mr Arafat’s words, Hassan saluted "all our Israeli friends with whom we both believe in peace and with whom we will make peace together in the future".

He also called on US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is due to arrive in the Middle East on Monday, to ensure that his mediation in the conflict is fair and honest.

Hassan said Mr Powell "needs to distinguish between the terror of the oppressor and the resistance of the oppressed".