UAE Gives Budget Support to Palestinian Authority

The United Arab Emirates has donated USD42 million to support the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority.

“The sum is meant to support the government’s budget,” Palestinian government spokesman Ghassan al-Khatib said.

The donation follows repeated calls by senior U.S. officials for more Arab support to help build and improve the capacity of the Palestinian government, Reuters’ Arab source in Washington said.

“It is a timely gesture of support both for the talks and the institution-building project of the PA, as well as a response to the public urging from (U.S.) President (Barack) Obama and Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton,” the source said.

The Palestinian Authority is looking at eliminating the need for budget support by 2013.