GAZA CITY, Feb 5: The Palestinian attorney general said on Sunday a corruption investigation has concluded that senior officials in the Palestinian Authority (PA) may have stolen billions of dollars of public funds.

Attorney General Ahmed Al Meghani told a news conference that his office is investigating dozens of corruption cases involving companies with ties to the Palestinian Authority.

“I cannot count the numbers because I’m not an accountant. It might be billions of dollars. When I end my investigation, I’m going to put out in detail all the numbers,” he said.

Al Meghani said he had made 25 arrests so far and issued international warrants for 10 people who have fled the area. He declined to identify the suspects because the investigation is proceeding, but said the probe included the Palestinian oil, tobacco and broadcasting corporations.

He also cited the Middle East Water Pipe Co, a joint venture between the Palestinian and Italian governments. Al-Meghani said $6 million was invested in the project, but the company was never formed.

Al Meghani, who took office last September, said he planned to unveil the results of his investigation in December but delayed the announcement at the request of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Abbas wanted the announcement delayed until after recent Palestinian elections, fearing voters would view the investigation as an attempt to win favour with voters, Al Meghani said.

He said he has Mr Abbas’s ‘full support’, even though the probe is focusing on members of the Palestinian leader’s Fatah Party.—AFP