LOC16:22
13:22 GMT
RAMALLAH, June 2 (KUNA) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on
Monday that he would present during a meeting Friday with Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert issues of settlements in the West Bank and specifically
in the city of Jerusalem and the issue of prisoners.
The President added during a press conference held with German Foreign
Minister Frank Steinmeier in the presidential headquarters in Ramallah that
the Palestinian National Authority can not accept such actions by the Israeli
government which will be an obstacle to peace.
He added that the PNA always draws the attention of the international
community that the continued Israeli settlement expansion would make it
difficult to reach a political agreement.
He renewed his welcome for any Arab or international effort to reach a
solution with Hamas.
The President also weclomed the Doha agreement resolving the Lebanese
crisis, as well as efforts being exerted on the Syrian-Israeli track.
On the other hand, Hamas conered the decision to convene a meeting this
afternoon between Abbas and Olmert as a step to legislate settler incursions
in the Palestinian territories and to cover up the crime.
Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman, said "the meeting was a life boat for the
Israeli Prime Minister to escape and strengthen the safety net granted to him
by the U.S. through meetings that are empty in content and useless, especially
after attempts to overthrow Olmert in the wake of investigations conducted
with him on file corruption. (end)
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