Netanyahu prefers final accord with Palestine

Jerusalem, Nov. 20 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will seek a final-peace accord with the Palestine Authority if talks resume, and not an interim solution.

In recent days, there have been various reports of cabinet ministers, and even President Shimon Peres, pressing for an interim accord that would include a Palestinian state with temporary borders.

However, Netanyahu has made it clear during various discussions this week that a "courageous leadership" on the Palestinian side could lead to a final peace agreement, which he would prefer to an interim agreement, the Jerusalem Post reports.

In his private discussions, Netanyahu also said that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who has said he would step down because of the stymied diplomatic process, should not be "counted out."

Netanyahu recalled that in 1971 no one thought that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat would eventually make peace with Israel, and that it was too early to "write off" Abbas. "Sometimes conventional wisdom is wrong," he was quoted as saying.

Sources in the Prime Minister's Office, meanwhile, didn't confirm that Netanyahu was likely to declaring a 10-month freeze in the settlements in an effort to lure the PA back to the negotiation table. (ANI)