LAHORE, Sept 22: Palestinian ambassador Ahmed Abdur Razzak Al-Salman says the idea of expelling Yasser Arafat “is tantamount to an attempt at expelling the entire Palestinian nation from its homeland”.

Returning from a 45-day visit to his homeland, the ambassador said the other day that excessive US and Israeli support had probably paved the way for his exit. The Americans and Israelis ignored the delicate balance in the Palestinian framework of diplomacy and policy.

Asked about the prospects for the success of the ‘roadmap’ for peace, the ambassador said: “Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is not a man of peace; his track record is that of a man who believes in violence.”

He recalled that when all the Palestinian factions agreed to a ceasefire on June 29 this year, the Israeli prime minister issued a statement that the declaration of Palestinian organizations did not concern Israel.

The ambassador views all the moves of Sharon as aimed at pushing the Palestinians into civil war. “But we are aware of his designs and would not fall into his trap. As regards disarming Palestinian groups, such measures can only be taken on a reciprocal basis,” he said.