Global General

US officials to visit West Bank to revive peace talks

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-12 20:18

RAMALLAH: Palestinian sources said on Tuesday that US national security adviser James Jones is due in the West Bank on Thursday, followed by US special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, in attempts to revive the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

Prior to meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Jones will hold talks with several senior officials in Saudi Arabia and Israel to discuss Middle East political developments.

Meanwhile, the sources added that Mitchell's upcoming visit holds new ideas to reach a two-state solution which includes Israel's withdrawal behind the border lines of June, 1967 within two years.

Stressing that the US needs to press Israel to end its settlement activities, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that President Abbas had informed the Quartet, namely the US, United Nations, Russia and EU, of Palestine's stand towards continuing the peace talks, that is the halt of all Israeli settlement activities.

The Quartet representatives will meet later on Wednesday to discuss the new American initiative which calls on both sides to continue the stumbled talks.

Meanwhile, Yasser Abd Rabbo, a member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s executive committee, reiterated that the Palestinians want Mitchell to admit that the negotiations should aimed at the ending of Israeli occupation and reaching a two-state solution.