Abbas seeks active US mediation in Mideast talks

[August 31, 2010]  RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- The Palestinian president says he will seek active U.S. mediation in negotiations with Israel resuming this week in Washington.

President Barack Obama is hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first direct talks in nearly two years. Obama has said he hopes to see a peace agreement within a year.

Abbas told reporters accompanying him to Washington on Tuesday that the deadline is reasonable because many of the issues have already been discussed in previous rounds. However, Netanyahu has not agreed to pick up where negotiations left off.

Abbas also warned he will not hesitate to walk out if Israel fails to extend its 10-month curb on settlement construction.

[Associated Press]

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