DHAKA: US state secretary John Kerry was to meet Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday as he seeks agreement on a framework for final status talks with the Palestinians.

The top US diplomat has faced fierce opposition from both sides to any compromise on mostly irreconcilable demands since he kick-started direct negotiations in July after a three-year hiatus.

Kerry’s 10th tour to the region since he took office last March comes as Palestinian and Israeli leaders accuse each other of lacking serious commitment to achieve a lasting peace after decades of conflict.

A State Department official told media ahead of the four-day trip that Kerry aims to hammer out a framework to guide the sides through the tough final months of talks, due to end in late April after an agreed nine-month negotiating period, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1808 HRS, JAN 02, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor