Israeli PM says time to renew peace talks with Palestinians

The premier, who met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo earlier in the day over the Israeli-Palestinian peace impasse and other issues, was quoted by local news service Ynet assaying at a meeting with senior members of his Likud Party that he "is very encouraged by President Mubarak's commitment to the peace process with the Palestinians."

"I hope to see such willingness on the part of the Palestinian (National) Authority as well. The time has come to jumpstart the diplomacy talks. The time has come to renew the peace process. The time has come for all of us to join in and do it," Netanyahu added.

Since Netanyahu announced in late November a 10-month moratorium on new construction projects in West Bank settlements, the Jewish state has stepped up its calls for an early resumption of the peace process, urging the Palestinians to accept what Israel dubs a rare compromise and return to the negotiation table.

Yet the Palestinians has so far refused, accusing the Netanyahu administration of not being genuine, as the temporary freeze does not include the some 3,000 settlement housing units already approved or construction activities in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want to be the capital of their future state; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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