Barghouti: Palestinians will back peace

JERUSALEM, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti said Sunday he believes Palestinians would back a peace agreement with Israel.

"If a permanent agreement is drafted, the Palestinian Authority will

hold a referendum to approve it," Barghouti told members of the Knesset visiting Hasharon Prison in central Israel.

Barghouti, the most senior Palestinian being held as a security prisoner by Israel, said a peace agreement would have support from even Palestinians living in Hamas-controlled Gaza, YnetNews.com reported.

"The end of the (Israeli-Palestinian) conflict is near," Barghouti predicted. "All that is needed is a leader courageous enough to sign (an agreement). I believe we are on the brink of a solution."