BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The PLO has appointed a legal committee to begin the process of putting together a lawsuit against Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, an official said Sunday.

Nimir Hammad, political adviser to President Abbas, told Ma'an that lawyers will contact Israeli, American and European legal experts to start proceedings against Lieberman for inflammatory remarks made about Abbas, which they say put the president's life at risk.

"The international community should not remain silent before incitement," Hammad added.

Last Tuesday, the Arab League called on UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the international Quartet to respond to "threats" by Israel's foreign minister.

Reacting to Abbas' speech at the UN, Lieberman said Abbas was "the biggest obstacle to peace."

"Everyone who heard Abbas’ speech understands that he does not intend, and does not want, to be a partner in a peace agreement," Lieberman said.

Israel's defense minister had criticized Lieberman and said his views did not represent policy.

"Lieberman’s comments about the Palestinian Authority and its president do not represent Israeli policy, and harm Israeli interests," Barak's office said in a statement.

Lieberman, a former bouncer from Moldova, sparked outrage among Palestinians after calling for Palestinian elections to usher in new leaders in an Aug. 20 letter to US, EU, Russian and UN leaders.