Abbas warns over mideast peace summit

Updated: 17:03, Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has warned that he will not attend a US-sponsored Middle East summit unless it yields concrete results.

1 of 1Condoleezza Rice - Plans for Mid-East conference
Condoleezza Rice - Plans for Mid-East conference

Mr Abbas also accused Israel of hampering peace efforts.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heard the strong message after a second round of talks with Mr Abbas.

It emphasises that despite her four days in the Middle East the gaps between Israel and the Palestinians are still large.

Disagreement between Israel and the Palestinians on the content of the document being drawn up as a basis for the conference has been seen as a possible cause for delaying the summit.

The Palestinians want a detailed agreement and timeframe for implementing solutions to the thorniest issues in the conflict; the Israelis want a more vague document with core issues left until later and no timetable.

On Monday, Ms Rice dismissed suggestions the conference should be delayed, but mentioned December, as an alternative to the more frequently touted November, for the meeting in Annapolis, Maryland.

Violence continued today, when an Israeli soldier and a Palestinian militant were killed in Gaza after the Israeli military launched an incursion into the southern part of the territory controlled by Hamas.


Live Player

  • Next
  • 16:00 - 16:10

    Nuacht RTÉ

  • 17:20 - 18:00

    Sinn Fein Ard Fheis: The Leader's Speech

  • Later
  • 18:01 - 18:30

    RTÉ News: Six One and Weather

  • 23:20 - 23:40

    RTÉ News and Weather