U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday morning, as she continued her efforts to make progress in the recently launched, direct Israeli—Palestinian peace talks.
Mr. Abbas, escorting the U.S. diplomat into his headquarters, thanked the U.S. for its efforts to try and secure an Israeli—Palestinian peace.
“We all know that there is no alternative to peace other than negotiations and therefore we have no choice but to continue these efforts,” he said.
“All of us — led by President Obama — are very committed and determined to move towards a peace agreement to direct negotiations that would lead to an independent and sovereign Palestinian state that would realize the aspirations of the Palestinian people,” Ms. Clinton replied.
Mr. Abbas had met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday night, with Ms. Clinton joining them for a three— way meeting.
The two leaders, accompanied by Ms. Clinton, also held talks on Tuesday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm a—Sheikh.
U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell told reporters after the meetings on Tuesday that the sides have begun tackling the “tough” and “most difficult” core issues of their mutual conflict, and the negotiations had moved “very quickly” and “vigorously” to serious and substantial questions.
The direct Israeli—Palestinian negotiations kicked off at the beginning of the month, after a hiatus of nearly two years, and following several months of indirect talks.
The talks are being overshadowed by a lingering dispute over an Israeli moratorium on constructions in West Bank settlements.
Palestinians have threatened to walk out the negotiations if Israel resumes building when the moratorium ends on its due date of September 26.
The U.S. is understood to be trying to broker a compromise.
According to the pan—Arab Asharq al—Awsat daily on Thursday, Mr. Abbas has accepted a U.S. proposal that he continue to negotiate with Israel in return for the Jewish State extending a building freeze for another three months.
Mr. Netanyahu, however, has yet to respond to the U.S. idea, reported the paper.
