Arab ministers agree to indirect talks with Israel

Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday agreed to a US proposal for indirect Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Arab officials were “not convinced by Israeli intentions”, but “they decided to give an opportunity of four months to the American proposal.”

“If the indirect negotiations fail after four months, they will hold a meeting this coming July to assess the developments,” he said.

Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas had said he would adhere to the decision of the Arab League committee that met in Cairo.

The United States has been trying for a year to get the Palestinians and Israeli regime back to the negotiating table.

Abbas has resisted US and Israeli calls for a resumption of direct negotiations, saying Israel must first halt all illegal Jewish settlement building on occupied lands where the Palestinians aim to establish a state.

Abbas broke off negotiations with Israeli occupying regime in protest at its offensive in the Gaza Strip launched in December 2008.