Palestinians give US ultimatum on settlements

SIRTE, Libya - The Palestinians, backed by Arab powers, said on Saturday they would give the United States one month to persuade Israel to halt the building of settlements in the West Bank or risk the collapse of peace talks.

The message, issued at an Arab League meeting in Libya, represented a reprieve for Washington as it tries to salvage 5-week-old talks stalled over Israel's refusal to extend a settlement freeze on occupied land where Palestinians seek statehood.

Diplomats said Abbas and Arab foreign ministers had in a closed session mooted "alternatives" to a future resumption of face-to-face negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.