Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has bowed to international pressures and agreed in principle to resume peace talks with Israel, Haaretz reports.
Photo: World Economic Forum - Flickr
The "indirect negotiations" will be mediated by US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell and are intended to begin in late February. Abbas has agreed only tentatively to return to the bargaining table, and he will consult with other Arab leaders and seek clarifications from the US before he gives his official OK to begin negotiations.
Excerpt:
Abbas is inclined to respond positively to the
American proposal, as a refusal would shed negative light on the
Palestinian position. Senior Israeli officials noted that Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu believes the talks will begin in late February and
will result in the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and
the Palestinian Authority.
The proposal relayed to Israel and the Palestinians during
Mitchell's last visit to the region, about two weeks ago, involved the
indirect negotiations beginning with American mediation. The format
will be similar to the indirect talks Israel held with Syria in Turkey,
with Mitchell relaying messages to the negotiating teams sitting in
separate rooms.
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8 Feb 2010 8:02 AM
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