Havana, October 21 (RHC-PL) -- A delegation headed by Abbas Zaki, a member of the Central Council of the Organization for the Liberation of Palestine (PLO) paid tribute to late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat here in Havana. Zaki is also a member of the High Political Committee of Al-Fatah, and is in Cuba on an official visit.

He said that among the objectives of his stay in Havana are to exchange views on recent events in the region and to present a new strategy adopted by the PLO.

He referred to the dangerous situation today in the Middle East, especially dangerous in Palestine with serious actions by the Zionists. They are difficult conditions that require a lot of wisdom and courage to face, he said.

The Palestinian leader congratulated Cuba on the return of the five anti-terrorist fighters who for more than fifteen years suffered unjust imprisonment in U.S. jails. He also recognized the position of this Caribbean nation to achieve a balanced insertion in current international relations.

Referring to the blockade imposed on Cuba by the U.S. government for more than five decades, he said that Palestine remains locked and also knows what it means, so it will always be close to the island.

"The United States does not have another choice but to support the will of the international community, otherwise they will be isolated even more ', he said about international opinion on the upcoming UN vote.

For four days the senior Palestinian official will meet with officials of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Cuba, the Organization of Solidarity with the People of Asia, Africa and Latin America, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and health centers.