PA President hopes Jordanian mediation efforts will pave way for renewed peace talks, says negotiating worthwhile even if chances of success are low; Jordanian king to meet Obama.
By JPOST.COM STAFFPalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas 311 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas hopes that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will be able to pave the way for peace talks by January 26, a Quartet-set deadline for preparing a negotiations framework, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported Tuesday.In a meeting between Abbas and Jordan's King Abdullah II, the two leaders discussed how to renew Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, but reiterated demands that Israel halt all settlement activity and accept the 1967 lines as the borders of the future Palestinian state, Wafa reported.RELATED:Jordan’s Islamists regain key asset'PA gives 'borders and security' positions to Israel' Abbas said that, even if the chances of success are low, Palestinians should take advantage of the opportunity to renew negotiations.
In an apparent endorsement of Jordan's mediation efforts, US President Barack Obama invited Abdullah for a White House meeting on January 17, the administration said.The subject of their talks will include “the goal of a negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” as well as economic and security issues and Abdullah’s efforts to create a more transparent and inclusive government in Jordan, according to a statement e-mailed from the White House.Bloomberg contributed to this report.
