(ANSAmed) - CAIRO - The Arab League has agreed to the opening
of direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israel, leaving
to President Mahmoud Abbas the responsibility to decide when
this could happen.
The news was given by the Foreign Minister of Qatar Hamad Ben
Gassem at the end of the meeting of the Arab League committee,
responsible for following the peace initiative. The Qatari
representative explained that Mahmoud Abbas would have to decide
if starting direct negotiations with Israel and the possible
conditions.
The Palestinian President had said he would commit to open
direct negotiations with Israel when it gave him ''guarantees''.
''I will not start a direct dialogue until I have a serious
prospect about 1967 borders and about the end of settlement
building'' said the Palestinian President during a press
conference, on the sidelines of the Arab League committee's
meeting. Mahmoud Abbas admitted he had been ''put under strain''
as never before ''by USA administration, EU and UN General
Secretary'' to open negotiations.
On his behalf Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
after having known the decision of the Arab League ministries,
today has said that he is ready for a peace negotiation that is
''open and direct'' with Mahmoud Abbas, even in the coming days.
(ANSAmed).
