Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Saturday slammed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's statements that accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of launching direct peace talks with Israel, Xinhua reported.
Ahmadinejad "doesn't have the right to question the legitimacy of President Abbas," Palestinian presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeineh said in a statement published by the Palestinian Wafa news agency.
"President Abbas was legally elected by his people in fair, democratic and transparent elections observed by more than 2,000 Arab and international observers," said Abu Rdeineh.
The Palestinians "have always defended their national rights, and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," said Abu Rdeineh.
The spokesman also said in the statement that Ahmadinejad " doesn't represent all the Iranian people because he forged the elections and repressed the Iranian people and stole the authority there. He doesn't have the right to slam the Palestinians and their leadership."
During a massive rally on Friday to mark the day of Jerusalem in Tehran, Ahmadinejad said Abbas doesn't represent his people when he agreed to go for direct peace talks with Israel.