Peace talks to resume

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday said she received assurances from Israeli and Palestinian leaders that they would resume their negotiations suspended after an Israeli offensive in Gaza. At a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign...

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday said she received assurances from Israeli and Palestinian leaders that they would resume their negotiations suspended after an Israeli offensive in Gaza.

At a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Dr Rice gave no time frame for a resumption of the talks but said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had not conditioned the talks on reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.

"I've been informed by the parties that they intend to resume the negotiations and that they are in contact with one another as to how to bring this about," Dr Rice said.

Asked about Mr Abbas's comments earlier in the day that the resumption of the talks hinged on reaching a "calm" in Gaza, Dr Rice said the Palestinian President would like to see an end to violence, but added: "This is not a condition."

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