By Sheikh Manzoor
New Delhi, May 13 (IANS): Mahmoud Al Habbash, special advisor to Palestine President Mahmmud Abbas, has lauded India for extending political, moral and material support to Palestinians and said the two sides recently evolved a new mechanism to strategise their relationship.

"We are thankful to India for supporting an independent Palestine state and pleading their cause at all international fora vociferously," Habbash said at a meeting held here on Tuesday night at the India Islamic Cultural Centre. The meeting was organised to observe the 67th Anniversary of "Nakkba", the day when the Palestinians were uprooted from their land.

It was attended by former minister K. Rehman Khan, deputy leader of the CPI-M Mohammed Salim and a number of members of parliament.

The ambassadors of Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Morocco and diplomats of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Cuba and several other countries also attended the meeting which was organised by the India-Arab Friendship Society.

Habbash said the international Community should fulfill its commitment and take speedy measures to establish the Palestine state so that Middle East becomes a peaceful region. The Palestinian president's advisor said India also supported Palestine in its efforts to become a non-member of the UN. He also supported India's claim for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Habbash, who has served as a minister in Abbas's cabinet, also met officials of India's external affairs ministry and discussed with them the current situation in the region.

The first round of foreign office consultations between India and Palestine was held in Ramalla on May 4. Sandeep Kumar, joint secretary in the external affairs ministry, led the Indian delegation and the talks covered the entire gamut of bilateral ties.

Habbash is also meeting leaders of various political parties before flying to Hyderabad, where he is expected to meet government officials and other political leaders.