Abu Dhabi: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will hold a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Dr Khairi Aridi, Palestinian Ambassador, said.
They will discuss the peace process between Palestine and Israel at the talks, which were planned to be held in Ramallah before moving it to Abu Dhabi since Abbas is in the UAE, Aridi told Gulf News.
He said the US is exerting efforts to set up a meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinian ambassador highlighted the UAE's role, as part of the Arab quartet, to mobilise the peace process in the Middle East through its excellent relations with all sides. He said the Palestinians appreciate this vital role, which was very effective in strengthening the Palestinian stand at international circles.
"The meeting between Abbas and Clinton is part of the US efforts to bring the Palestinian and Israeli sides together and revive the peace process between them," Aridi said.
He said a meeting between Abbas and George Mitchell, US special envoy to the Middle East, will be held prior to the meeting between Abbas and Clinton.
As for a possible meeting between Abbas the Israeli Prime Minister, Aridi said the Palestinian side will not accept such a proposal due to Israel's determination to expand its colonies.
Basic terms
"There are Palestinian basics, which are not conditions but part of Palestinian rights, namely suspending the confiscation of land and freezing colony activities in occupied Palestinian territories before accepting any meeting or agreement between the two sides," Aridi said.
He pointed out that Mitchell had failed so far in achieving any progress or positive results through his many visits to the region despite several visits, due to the Israel's insistence on continuing the expansion of colonies.
AP adds:
After her meetings in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, Clinton will travel to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She will be joined by the Obama administration's special Mideast peace envoy, George Mitchell.
The time and place of the meeting with Netanyahu were still being worked out, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss planning.
The official indicated that Clinton saw her weekend meetings as a necessary step in the peace process, which has been stalled, even though there is no immediate prospect of a breakthrough on the key areas of dispute.
Her visit reflects the administration's commitment - and her personal commitment - to work through the challenges we face in pursuit of comprehensive Middle East peace," State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said in a statement on Thursday.
Clinton reported last week to President Barack Obama that Mitchell had made little progress. Crowley noted that "challenges remain as we continue to work with both sides."
He said the talks would take place ahead of meetings Clinton has scheduled with Arab foreign ministers in Morocco early next week.
"The administration is committed to comprehensive peace, including a two-state solution," Crowley said.
Clinton was wrapping up on Friday a three-day visit to Pakistan.
- With inputs from AP
