Netanyahu: No preconditions to direct peace talks

[July 07, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the best way to make peace with Palestinians is to "put aside all the grievances and all the preconditions" to direct talks.

But Netanyahu declined to say whether he'll extend the moratorium on a limited freeze in West Bank settlements, due to expire in September. Palestinians have demanded this before renewing face-to-face talks.

Netanyahu told ABC's "Good Morning America" that setting preconditions has kept him and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas apart. The Israeli leader reiterated that he's ready "to sit down with him" for face-to-face negotiations. But he also said: "We have to have very strong security arrangements so that areas that we vacate do not turn into Iranian strongholds."

[Associated Press]

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