Arab peace plan ideas 'more important than ever': Clinton
AFP
RIYADH- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that the principles of the Arab Peace Initiative for Israel and the Palestinians are "more important than ever."
In a message to Saudi King Abdullah to mark the Saudi national day on Thursday, she applauded Abdullah's backing of the 2002 initiative, which offers pan-Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
"As we continue working to support direct talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the principles enshrined in the Arab Peace Initiative are more important than ever."
Riyadh endorsed the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks launched early this month, but the negotiations are threatened by the possibility that Israel will not extend a freeze on settlement construction, which the Palestinians have warned would end the talks.
The ten-month freeze expires next week.
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