Netanyahu says peace talks to resume

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will resume in the near future.

Netanyahu plans to travel to London next week to meet with U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell. He reported on the upcoming trip in his weekly Cabinet meeting, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"Israel, the U.S. and others are interested in resuming direct (peace) talks with the Palestinians. This can possibly be done in late September, but will first require reaching understandings with the Americans and the Palestinian Authority," Netanyahu told the ministers, the report said.

Netanyahu said there has been progress between Jerusalem and Washington on the subject of settlement construction.

However, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was less optimistic. He said no comprehensive peace agreement has been reached with the Palestinians in the 16 years since the Oslo accords and an agreement won't be reached in another 16 years.