Abbas, Livni talk of reviving West Asia peace drive

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 19 (Reuters) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reassured Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that a national unity government he was negotiating with Hamas would recognize Israel's right to exist, an aide said.

Abbas and Livni discussed a range of issues late yesterday from abducted Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit to how to revive the road map for West Asia peace, said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

The two also discussed preparations for a long-delayed meeting between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Their talks took place on the sidelines of the opening debate of the new General Assembly session.

Not just one but ''a series of meetings'' was anticipated between Abbas and Olmert, Erekat told reporters.

He said he hoped the Israeli soldier could soon be released as well as Palestinian prisoners held by Israel but that he did not want to talk about the status of efforts to free them for fear it could derail a deal.

Livni told reporters the ''important and constructive'' talks touched on the situation in the Palestinian territories, how to promote peace, and the next steps.

''Firstly and the most important issue for Israel is the unconditional release of Gilad Shalit,'' she said.

It was crucial that any Palestinian government of national unity renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept interim peace deals between Israel and the Palestinians, she said.

Asked if a unity government would accept those conditions, Erekat said Abbas's position was clear.

''When we say that an agreement was reached that any Palestinian government will honor commitments and obligations of the PLO and the Palestinian national authority, that is what President Abbas means,'' he said.

The meeting was Livni's second with Abbas since Hamas came to power in March, sparking a freeze on most foreign aid to the Palestinians.

Abbas and Hamas have been in talks on a unity government in a bid to lift the sanctions, but Abbas aides said on Sunday the president froze talks after Hamas made clear it would not accept interim peace deals with Israel.

However, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said talks were only delayed while Abbas was in New York.

The U.N. Security Council meanwhile firmed up plans for a meeting on Thursday to discuss a plea by the 22-nation Arab League to resuscitate the West Asia peace process.

The meeting will be a public session where the council's 15 members will be represented by their foreign ministers or possibly even more senior officials, diplomats said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would attend the meeting but would not speak, leaving that job to Bahrain, Erekat said.

''I think there will be one speech delivered by the Arabs. It will not be President Abbas,'' he said.

Reuters LL DB1127