DHAKA: Direct peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority could resume later this week.

A senior Ramallah official told Israel Radio on Monday, reports The Jerusalem Post.

The official said that despite the resignation of Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat and his team – who quit the talks in protest of Israel’s continued construction in West Bank settlements – talks could still resume between the parties, Israel Radio reported.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas will use the next two weeks to find replacements for the negotiating team, according to the official.

Abbas met in Ramallah last night with Martin Indyk, the American envoy to the peace talks, Israel Radio reported.

The Palestinian leader said that his government is committed to exhausting the negotiations with Israel in the nine months originally agreed upon by the Palestine, Israel, and the US.

BDST: 1848 HRS, NOV 18, 2013
RoR/SRS