Mubarak-Abbas talk regional peace

Egypt: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met Sunday to discuss the elimination of obstacles to peace in the Middle East, continuing a diplomatic offensive involving several regional leaders.

Mubarak received President Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority at the presidential palace in Cairo, one day after discussing the impasse in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, according to news reports.

Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to continue working for a direct Palestinian dialogue with Israel, but said it objected to Tel Aviv’s policy of expanding its illegal settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

The US offered incentives to Israel, including military assistance with the sale of 20 fighter planes.

The Palestinians decided to walk out on direct US-backed talks with Israel due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to extend a 10-month moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank.

Cairo, Prensa Latina