Global General

Israeli-Palestinian indirect talks have started

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-09 20:52

RAMALLAH - Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said Sunday the US-proposed proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians have formally started.

"We can now say that the indirect talks have started and they will last for four months," Erekat told reporters following a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and George Mitchell, the US Middle East envoy who will lead the talks.

Mitchell has been in the region for five days, acting as a go- between to bridge the gaps between Israel and the Palestinians.

The proximity talks, which the Washington had proposed, aim at paving the way for resuming face-to-face negotiations that stopped in December 2008 and failed to restart over a dispute on Jewish settlement in occupied lands.

Abbas emphasized that nobody should spare any effort to help making the negotiations successful, Erekat said, noting that the talks would include final-status issues, which would enable the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

The issues of security and borders would be the main topics at the talks "but without neglecting the other cases," according to Erekat.

Erekat said that Abbas would talk directly to the United States which will communicate his opinions to Israel via Mitchell.

On Saturday, the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) authorized Abbas to begin the negotiations. However, it is largely believed that Washington could not obtain a firm commitment from Israel to refrain from building or expanding settlements during the coming four months.

"The Israeli government should select either to continue building settlements on the ground or give a chance to this process (negotiations)," Erekat added.