Abbas calls for settlement freeze

JERUSALEM, July 13 (UPI) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told a press conference only after Israel imposes a settlement freeze will peace talks resume.

Abbas made the statements at a press conference with the visiting Romanian President Traian Basescu in Ramallah Sunday. He called on Israel to endorse the two-state principal and impose a settlement freeze before embarking on talks for a permanent agreement, Ynetnews.com said.

A peaceful solution with Israel will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security alongside Israel, the Maan News Agency quoted Abbas as saying.

The Palestinian leader's comments came in response to statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Beersheba Sunday where he called on Abbas to meet with him.

"Let us make peace, diplomatic peace and economic peace. Let us cooperate on these projects … let us meet here (Beersheba) and begin to advance peace for the benefit of both our peoples," a statement issued by Netanyahu's office quoted him as saying.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman Monday said Abbas' authority appears to be waning, prompting him to toughen his demands.