Jerusalem: Israel's Prime Minister says he is open to US-led indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as long as they lead to direct negotiations.
The US’ Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, has said he is willing to mediate indirect talks to get negotiations back on track after a yearlong deadlock. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has already signalled he is open to the suggestion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told leaders of American Jewish organisations on Wednesday he would be "fine" with a third party bringing the sides back to peace talks. But he says direct talks will eventually be needed to end the conflict.
The US has struggled to coax both sides back to negotiations, which broke down in late 2008 after Israel's Gaza offensive.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 08:53