Israeli PM says significant progress made in US settlement talks

Jerusalem, Aug.23 (ANI): Four days before travelling to London for a meeting with American envoy George Mitchell, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has told his inner cabinet that "significant progress" has been made on negotiations with the US over a settlement freeze.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu and his special emissary Yitzhak Molcho, briefed Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor and Bennie Begin about the latest round of talks in Washington.o details of the discussions were released.

One of the sticking points has been the duration of a settlement moratorium, with Israel wanting it to last six months, and the US reportedly interested in a two-year halt.

Israel has reportedly expressed a willingness to halt any new settlement projects for the duration of the moratorium, but wants to continue building some 2,500 units in the large settlement blocs during this period. (ANI)