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Olmert says Mideast peace deal closer than ever

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-13 20:28

PARIS -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Israel and the Palestinians have never been closer to a peace deal than now.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, standing with Olmert at the French presidential palace, said both sides are "serious and want to achieve peace."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, puts his hands between the hands of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Sunday July 13, 2008. Sarkozy met the two leaders ahead of a Union for the Mediterranean summit which will bring together leaders of 43 nations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, some of whom have never before sat around a single table. [Agencies]

Meanwhile, Olmert also said Sunday that Israel hopes to have direct contacts with Syria soon. The rival neighbors have been holding indirect talks mediated by Turkey.

Olmert and Abbas held talks Sunday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy ahead of a sweeping summit launching the Union for the Mediterranean, bringing together leaders of some 40 nations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

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