Palestinian leader ready to engage with Israel

Ramallah Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday he was ready to engage with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a Middle East peace agreement if he proposes ‘‘anything promising or positive''. Abbas, speaking to Reuters after Netanyahu announced a grand coalition that will strengthen the Israeli leader's hand, said Netanyahu had to realise that Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank were destroying hopes of peace and must cease. Abbas said it was still too early to comment directly on the new Israeli coalition, which saw Israel's centrist opposition Kadima party join Netanyahu's government.

Ultimatum

Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz said resuming negotiations that have been stalled for 18 months was an ‘‘iron condition'' of his decision to join the government.

Abbas sent a letter last month to Netanyahu that was widely viewed as an ultimatum, setting out parameters for the stalled talks to resume. Netanyahu is expected to reply this week.

Abbas said he had no intention of letting his people take up arms against the Israelis, but he would be ready to renew his push for recognition of statehood at the United Nations if there was no breakthrough.