Netanyahu says Israel wants to renew talks

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt, May 11 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Monday his country would like to renew negotiations with Palestinian officials in coming weeks.

After meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Netanyahu said the main source of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the concept of two states, The Jerusalem Post said.

"I hope these talks will indeed start up again in the coming weeks," the prime minister said.

Netanyahu added Israel "yearns to reach peace with its Palestinian neighbors, and with all the Arab nations; we all live in this region, and we are all the sons of Abraham."

The Israeli official also reiterated his stance that such peace negotiations would include diplomatic talks as well as economic cooperation and Palestinian security efforts.

The Post said Netanyahu, who was on his first international visit since becoming prime minister, also thanked Egypt for the country's assistance in regional security, including aid in regards to terrorists and extremists.