MOSCOW. Jan 14 (Interfax-AVN) - The Palestinian authorities have estimated the damage caused to the Gaza Strip by Israel's military operation at $3 billion, Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Afif Safieh told a news conference at the Interfax central office on Wednesday.
"The extent of destruction in the Gaza Strip has been estimated at $3 billion," Safieh said.
A Palestinian transitional government, which should be formed as soon as possible, ought to make rebuilding efforts its top priority, the ambassador said.
"The second task of such a government should be to take measures to arrange honest, independent and unbiased elections which are held under international control," Safieh said, adding that he is referring to "both presidential and parliamentary elections."
After these elections take place, "the inter-Palestinian dialogue intended to help create a coalition government will continue," he added.