Archbishop Desmond Tutu nominates Palestinian leader for Nobel Prize

It's reported that Archbishop Desmond Tutu has nominated an imprisoned Palestinian leader for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Marwan Barghouti has been behind bars since 2002. He was found guilty by Israel of murder in 2004.

Archbishop Tutu, famous for his role in bringing peace and reconciliation to South Africa, has long been a supporter of ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Now he has built on that by making the nomination.

An official account linked to Tutu tweeted, "I have nominated imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti for ‪#NobelPeacePrize 2017. For peace and justice."

Barghouti was a prominent member of Fatah – the Palestinian group formerly headed by Yasser Arafat – and was its leader in the West Bank.

While the Israeli authorities have maintained that he is a leader of armed attacks, Barghouti claims to only have been involved in political work.

He is seen as a future leader of the Palestinians.

Earlier this week Tutu received a visit from the head of the World Council of Churches Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit. He said, "It is always inspiring to listen to and talk with Desmond Tutu. He carries both the legacy and the vision of our Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace with us... His experience, wisdom and not least his spirituality is a great gift to the ecumenical movement as we work for the unity of humanity and the unity of the church in every corner of the world."