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Last update - 11:26 14/04/2007


Aides: PM mulling talks with Arab League working group on Saudi peace plan

By Reuters

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is considering entering U.S.-backed talks with an Arab League working group that could try to negotiate a sweeping land-for-peace accord, officials said Friday.

Olmert has for weeks resisted pressure from the United States, Egypt and others to commit to talks with the working group, which is expected to consist of Egypt and Jordan, and possibly other Arab states.

The 2002 Saudi peace initiative, relaunched at an Arab League summit in Riyadh last month, offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for a full withdrawal the pre-1967 boundaries, creation of a Palestinian state and a "just solution" for Palestinian refugees.

A senior official close to the deliberations said the proposed working group talks were "an option" under active consideration and that "initial contacts" have been made to follow up on the Riyadh summit.

Another senior official said support was growing within the government to agree to the working group talks, and Olmert planned to make a final decision before a committee of Arab League members meet on Wednesday at the ministerial level in Cairo.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because a final decision has yet to be made. Olmert's office declined to comment.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/848249.html