Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily met today at his office with Brigadier General Einar Johnsen, the new Head of Mission for the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), who took office last Monday. Brig. Gen. Johnsen was accompanied by his predecessor, Brigadier General Britt T. B. Brestrup as well as by a number of TIPH staff.

At the beginning of the meeting, Osaily spoke about the importance of TIPH for Palestinians. He commended the role played by Brig. Gen. Brestrup, the outstanding ties between Hebron Municipality and TIPH, as well as cooperation between both parties witnessed during this past period.

Osaily also made a detailed presentation on security, economic and political conditions in Hebron as well as on the suffering of Old City inhabitants due to occupation practices, military checkpoints and continuous aggressions by settlers. He also touched on the history of Hebron and the various political developments it has witnessed as well as the civilizations which have inhabited the city in the past.

Mayor Osaily affirmed to the new Head of Mission the Municipality’s readiness to continue joint action, to enhance cooperation with TIPH and to facilitate its work. He spoke about the excellent ties between both bodies in the past and nowadays and wished the new Head of Mission an excellent stay in the city.

Brig. Gen. Brestrup thanked Mayor Osaily for his hospitality and cooperation during her stay in Hebron. She also hoped to see peace prevail in the region so that its inhabitants can live in security and freedom.

At the end of the meeting, Brigadier General Einar Johnsen hoped to see the active cooperation with Hebron Municipality continue like it was under his predecessor. He affirmed that he will do his utmost to serve the city in line with TIPH’s prerogatives which are based on international and Israeli-Palestinian accords.