Palestinians seek Arab League backing to resume peace talks with Israel

Cairo: The Palestinians are seeking the Arab League's backing to resume peace talks with Israel through a US mediator.

A first attempt to get indirect talks going collapsed last month when Israel announced a new Jewish housing project, which the Palestinians claim as a future capital. That drew fierce criticism from the United States and led to the worst rift in decades between Washington and its chief Mideast ally.

Foreign ministers from several top Arab League member nations will meet in Cairo on Saturday to decide whether to endorse the indirect talks.

Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi cautioned that the Palestinians would still be waiting to see stronger Israeli compromises on settlement construction.