Us To Continue Pursuing Middle East Peace Talks Despite Skepticism From Arab Ministers

[News_Editor]

US to continue pursuing Middle East peace talks despite skepticism from Arab Ministers

2010-12-16 04:55:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Envoy George Mitchell on Wednesday said that the U.S. remains committed to pursue the continuation of peace talks between Israel and Palestine despite the skepticism voiced by Arab Foreign Ministers.

According to the Haaretz newspaper, Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim said that Arabs are skeptical about the ability of the U.S. to pressure Israel on core issues after failing to secure a settlement freeze. Thus, Jassim said that Arabs cannot support a new round of talks.

Furthermore, the Arab Ministers are expected to reject any direct or indirect talks unless the United States takes a firm stance on the future borders of a Palestinian state based on the ones accorded in 1967.

However, the U.S. still considers a two-state solution viable in order to achieve Middle East peace. Mitchell said he is working on pursuing substantive talks with both Israel and Palestine to renew the negotiations.

"In the days ahead our discussions with both sides will be substantive, two way conversations with an eye towards making real progress in the next few months on the key questions of an eventual framework agreement," said Mitchell.

The U.S. envoy said that a framework agreement on all issues would ease the path towards a peace agreement. Mitchell met in Cairo with President Mubarak as part of his Middle East tour.

On Tuesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his disappointment with the U.S. after failing to declare that the border talks with Israel will be based on 1967 lines.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. envoy George Mitchell and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are preparing to enter indirect Middle East negotiations.

Palestine repeatedly said it will not engage in any talks until settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem stops completely. The U.S. recently abandoned its efforts to secure a 90-day settlement freeze with Israel.

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