Abbas: New Israeli leader doesn't believe in peace

[April 01, 2009]  RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the new Israeli prime minister "doesn't believe in peace" and is calling on the international community to put pressure on the government.

Abbas said Benjamin Netanyahu still has not endorsed the idea of an independent Palestinian state and plans to expand Jewish settlements in territory claimed by the Palestinians.

Abbas spoke at an Arab summit in Qatar, and his comments were reported by the government-run Palestinian news agency in the West Bank.

Netanyahu officially took office Wednesday. He has said he will seek peace with the Palestinians, but has given few details on what kind of settlement he envisions.

[Associated Press]

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