International News

Quartet pushes Israeli-Palestinians
to stick to with peace talks
Agence France-Presse . Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

The Middle East Quartet called on Israel and the Palestinians on Sunday to press on with peace negotiations despite domestic political turmoil which has added to doubts they will be able to seal a deal this year.
It also called for a halt to Jewish settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land, one of the thorniest issues in the peace talks, and for the dismantling of ‘terrorist infrastructure.’
‘The Quartet called for the continuing of the peace process in the framework of Annapolis,’ the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said after a meeting of the Quartet in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
He was referring to the US city where negotiations were revived in November 2007 after near seven-year hiatus, with both sides committing to reaching a long-elusive deal by the end of this year.
But with Israel now counting down to early elections in February and rival Palestinian groups still locked in a damaging political feud, there is little hope of the target being met.
‘Without minimising the gaps and obstacles that remain the representatives of the parties shared their assessment that the present negotiations are substantial and promising,’ the final statement said.
‘The Quartet reiterated its call to the parties to fully implement their obligations under phase one of the road map including in relation to freezing settlement activity and dismantlement of the infrastructure of terrorism.’
The Quartet — which groups the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States — met to discuss progress in resolving core problems such as the status of Jerusalem, the borders of a future Palestinian state and refugees.
The Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, she would not sign ‘any agreement that does not serve Israel’s interest and that is not detailed enough to be put into effect. We are not there yet and it could take time.’