Abbas resists US pressure for immediate talks with Israel

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Crimbos? We could be heading for EastEnders gone mad

The whole point of the Asbo was to prevent anti-social characters wreaking havoc in local communitie...

The Debate: Should brothels be legalised?

While some will hold the sex workers should be respected in their resistance to the upheaval, it is ...

Taking away benefits from heroin users won’t solve anything

It was reported today that Ian Duncan Smith is threatening to stop heroin addicts from being able to...

Chelsea Flower Show 2012: The winners

Of course, gold is the top honour, but that shouldn't detract from the other medals. If someone wins...

Arab nations yesterday backed the Palestinian President's refusal to immediately restart direct talks with Israel despite heavy US pressure.

The Arab foreign ministers endorsed the idea of direct negotiations, said Qatari Prime Minister, Sheik Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, but left the timing up to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has laid down several conditions.

The US and the Europeans have been pushing a reluctant Mr Abbas to rejoin face-to-face negotiations with Israel, which broke off in 2008.

"We haven't discussed when and how the direct negotiations will start – this is a matter for the Palestinian side to decide," said Mr Thani.

The Arab foreign ministers also sent a letter to President Barack Obama explaining the Arab position on direct negotiations and their requirements for talks.

Mr Thani said that the ministers had originally been against endorsing direct talks, but due to the serious situation in the region they were willing give it a try.

"We have confidence in America and in President Obama to reach peace, but the question is can that be achieved?" he said, expressing doubt that it would be possible under the administration of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

A leaked Palestinian document this week revealed that US peace envoy George Mitchell warned Mr Abbas that if he does not agree to direct talks, Mr Obama will not be able to help the Palestinians achieve a state of their own. But the Palestinian President said he first wants to see progress in indirect talks that have been taking place since May under US mediation, specifically movement on the issue of borders for a future Palestinian state. He has also called for a halt to settlement building.

Mr Netanyahu, who has appealed for direct talks, has refused to be pinned down on a framework for negotiations. The Israeli Prime Minister has accepted the idea of Palestinian statehood with conditions but has ruled out giving up control of east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as their capital. "In response to the Arab League's decision, the Prime Minister said he is willing to begin direct, honest talks with the Palestinian Authority already in the next few days," said a statement from his office.

Mr Netanyahu opposes all conditions for renewing direct talks, including a settlement construction freeze. In any event, Palestinians have rejected the current limits as insufficient, because they do not include construction in Jewish neighbourhoods in east Jerusalem.

"The issue of settlements, along with all the other core issues... should be discussed in the negotiations," Mr Netanyahu's spokesman, Mark Regev, said yesterday.

Career Services

Day In a Page

In pictures: Royal Stamps of approval

Royal Stamps of approval

Royal Mail's Diamond Jubilee tribute
GB’s Beach Volleyball squad ‘stop traffic’

Beach Volleyball team 'stop traffic'

GB squad promotes TfL's Get Ahead of the Games campaign
Andreas Whittam Smith: Authenticity is a great asset in a leader. David Cameron lacks it

Andreas Whittam Smith

Authenticity is a great asset in a leader. David Cameron lacks it
Back in the thick of it... Alastair Campbell returns to work as a spin doctor

Back in the thick of it... Alastair Campbell returns to work as a spin doctor

Labour's master of media manipulation is back in the PR business
Supermarkets accused of ripping off shoppers with 'misleading' offers

Supermarkets accused of ripping off shoppers with 'misleading' offers

Which? survey reveals that buying single items can often be cheaper than attractive-looking multipack promotions
The art of industrial espionage

The art of industrial espionage

Corporate investigation may lack the glamour of Bond and Bourne, but the two worlds aren't so far removed...
From fashion to film: Jean Paul Gaultier on his week as a Cannes juror

Jean Paul Gaultier: From fashion to film

The fashion designer discusses his week as a Cannes juror
Therapist who tried to 'cure' me of being gay thrown out – but the system is still broken

Therapist who tried to 'cure' me of being gay thrown out...

... but the system is still broken, says Patrick Strudwick
In a Sudanese field, cluster bomb evidence proves just how deadly this war has become

In a Sudanese field, cluster bomb evidence proves just how deadly this war has become

Aris Roussinos speaks to the villagers demanding UN help
'I don't want it to be boring': Former circus producer reveals plans for Diamond Jubilee river parade

Diamond Jubilee river parade

Former circus producer Adrian Evans reveals his plans for the Thames Pageant
VIP treatment: Life is golden in the Olympic fast lane

VIP treatment: Life is golden in the Olympic fast lane

As the rest of us get used to being also-rans in the race for tickets, a chosen few are preparing to enjoy nothing but the very best of London 2012
Forest guards told to shoot poachers on sight after rash of tiger killings

Forest guards told to shoot poachers on sight after rash of tiger killings

India hits back against hunters who sell body parts to Asia for use in traditional medicines
Mining tycoon beats Wal-Mart heiress to title of richest woman

Mining tycoon beats Wal-Mart heiress to title of richest woman

Industrialist Gina Rinehart earns £32m a day from her Australian iron-ore concerns
Language: The cussing room floor

Language: The cussing room floor

Ken Loach is the latest director to complain about censorship. The rules on swearing are so arbitrary, it's no wonder he's effing and blinding
The 10 best car gadgets

The 10 best car gadgets

From a wide-angle HD camera to a satnav that shows you real-time images of the road ahead...