Abbas announces readiness for comprehensive dialogue with Hamas; Hamas welcomes

Abbas forms committee to follow up national dialogue

King of Jordan: No peace without justice for Palestinians; region is on firing line

Regional, int'l condemnation of Israel's decision to enlarge settlements

Israel speaks of new int'l conference on Palestinian issue

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz received a telephone call from Russian Federation's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

During the telephonic conversation, they discussed the development of recent events in the region and in the World.

They also discussed the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation and ways of enhancing them in all domains

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a message from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The message was handed over to the King by French Defense Minister Herve Moran during an audience with the King at his palace in Jeddah.

The French envoy conveyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the greetings of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. In turn, the King sent his greetings to the French President.

During the audience, a number of bilateral issues were reviewed.

The audience was attended by the Saudi Military Attaché in France and Switzerland, Major General Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Alseheibani and the Ambassador of France to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bartron Boznso

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will go to Damascus during the current month to meet with leaders of Palestinian factions, including the head of Hamas' Politburo, Khaled Mash'al, the Lebanese newspaper As-Safir reported.

In a speech broadcast by Palestine television, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for dialogue with Hamas without conditions.

Abbas announced the decision to undertake a comprehensive national dialogue to implement all aspects of the Yemeni initiative, in order to heal the divisions between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, as decided at the Arab summit in Damascus.

Abbas said: “Out of concern for national unity and as a response to the Arab and Palestinian calls for ending the internal divisions and getting things back on track as they were before 13 June 2007, I call for a comprehensive national dialogue to implement the Yemeni initiative in order to end the factional disputes, restore national unity, and end the blockade imposed on the Palestinian people.”

He added: “I will move on the Arab and international levels to ensure support for the process of recovering national unity, in order to guarantee the achievement of our national rights, including the right of return and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital…In this regard, I will call for holding new presidential and legislative elections, in cooperation with the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which will work towards fulfilling all the required conditions for the success of this dialogue, which we hope will end the national divisions and strengthen our system.”

Abbas commenced his speech by reaffirming the necessity of a complete Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders in order to achieve a secure and lasting peace. He said: “Peace will not be accomplished with settlement construction, Judaizing Jerusalem and constructing the separation wall.”

He added: “We won’t give up Jerusalem, and we will stay committed to the pledge and to our national rights.”

Abbas asked the Arab and international communities to end the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, describing it as "a war crime against Palestinians.”

Hamas applauded Abbas’ call for a comprehensive national dialogue.

Mahmoud Zahhar, a prominent Hamas leader, said: “We applaud Abbas’ call for a comprehensive national dialogue unconditionally.”

In a statement to Al-Quds radio in Gaza, Nunu said that Arab support for this dialogue is required, as well as stopping media campaigns that exacerbate the crisis.

Meanwhile, Palestinian sources informed the London-based Al- Hayat newspaper that delegations from Hamas and Fatah will arrive in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, in response to a formal invitation from the Senegalese government to hold an indirect dialogue for reconciliation between the political rivals.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas formed a committee following his initiative to resume an inter-Palestinian dialogue among all Palestinian factions, well-informed sources said.

The sources said the committee would include members in Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and leaders of various political groups.

The sources said the committee would convene as early as next week and would hold contacts with the leaders of the rival movements and other parties to prepare for the dialogue.

Abbas presented an initiative to launch a Palestinian comprehensive dialogue and end the status of split and disputes, mainly between rival Fatah and Hamas movements.

Top Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar told reporters earlier that Hamas movement welcomes Abbas call for holding a comprehensive dialogue "but without any preconditions."

Taher al-Nunu, spokesman of the deposed Hamas government in Gaza, also said "the government welcomes the initiative and accepts it."

Heading the first part of government's 58th weekly session at the presidential compound in Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the need for Arab support for the inter-Palestinian reconciliation efforts and the dangers posed by Israeli settlement expansion.

Abbas commenced the session with a speech on the political situation and the final settlement negotiations with Israel, reaffirming his complete refusal of Israeli settlements. He stated that the government considers the Israeli project of building hundreds of housing units in Jerusalem settlements to be the biggest obstacle against the negotiations and reaching a genuine peace.

During the meeting, Abbas reviewed the results of his recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He also demanded an Arab effort to end the divisions between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, saying: “We need an Arab effort and presence if possible; we hope that there will be an Arab presence until we are able to solve this problem.”

Abbas added: “We want to say that we are for a national solution for national unity. This is not a tactic or a message for local consumption… we are serious and insist on recovering national kinship and ending the division between Gaza and the West Bank.”

In a press conference following the meeting, government spokesperson Riad al-Maliki noted the significance of holding the session at the presidential compound. He pointed out Abbas' assertion that the meeting is evidence of the integration of the executive authority and the government fulfilling its role.

Al-Maliki added that Abbas talked about the Palestine Investment Conference held recently in Bethlehem, considering the major government activity a success with the attendance of more than 1,500 people who came to enrich the Palestinian economy. Abbas also confirmed that this conference will be followed up to ensure its success, asking for more work to realize the results of the conference in the different Palestinian governorates and cities.

Al-Maliki noted that Abbas requested support for the efforts towards a ceasefire and ending the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, and expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian efforts towards a ceasefire and opening the Gaza border crossings.

Al-Maliki confirmed Abbas’ comments regarding national unity and reconciliation.

He explained that the second part of the session was chaired by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who spoke of his participation in the Bil’in conference. Fayyad confirmed that the government supports such efforts and that the Palestinian Authority seeks to strengthen citizens' steadfastness, noting the many projects undertaken with this aim.

Al-Maliki added that the meeting discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the recent Hamas practices, accusing Hamas of being responsible for worsening the internal Palestinian divisions.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad attended the third international conference of popular resistance in Bil'in.

Fayyad said in his inauguration speech that "the Palestinian will achieve liberty and independence and to safeguard the future of peace in the region will not be vanquished."

He added that "the will of the residents of Bil’in in the face of the Israeli bulldozers will not be weakened and Palestinians’ confidence in establishing an independent Palestinian state will not be affected by Israeli barbaric practices."

Fayyad said that Bil’in represents "the sacrifices given by Palestinians in each city, village or refugee camp or elsewhere who resist and struggle every single day to defeat death; their will of construction in confronting destruction; their will of endurance in confronting Israel’s plans of displacement and their will of standing still on their lands in confronting Israeli confiscations, settlements and walls."

"When we talk about Bil’in we mean dozens of initiatives of defense committees in Al-Latroon villages, Beit Sourik, Nabi Samou’il, Aj-Jeb, Bedouins, ‘Esawiyya and Abu Dis as well as the endurance of ‘Aqaba, Masha, Salfit and Deir Balloot and all the villages of the Jordan Valley, Deir Al-Hatab and Ni’lin, Amateen, Marda, Az-Zawiya, Far’oun, Deir Al-Ghossoun, Qufein, Zeita and An-Nazlat, they talk about the endurance of Um Salamona, Bethlehem, Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Al-Khader, Yatta, Beit Ummar, Ad-Dahriyeh, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, Tulkarem, Qalqilia and each village and place in Palestine." he added.

Presidential chief of staff Rafiq Al-Husseini said "the way to liberate Jerusalem, demolish the separation wall, remove settlements, free prisoners and achieve the rights of the Palestinian people passes through Bil’in."

Al-Husseini said that Bil’in’s resistance forced Israel to stop constructing the separation wall and was able to remove a number of the houses of the settlement built on the villagers' land.

Al-Husseini also applauded the endurance of Bil’in residents in their peaceful resistance to the Israeli occupation, along with foreigners and Israeli peace activists who support Palestinians.

Deposed Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haneya welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' statements over readiness for talks with the Islamic movement.

Haneya said in a statement faxed to the media that he welcomes any efforts for conciliation, renewing call to the Arab League to engage in more serious efforts for the sake of Palestinian national unity.

"Hamas' government is ready to start a dialogue on the base of no lose or victory" between the Palestinians, according to Haneya's statement.

Palestinian factions welcomed the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' call for a "Palestinian comprehensive dialogue" for ending the internal split.

In statements received by our correspondent, the factions praised Abbas' call as such dialogue will lead to the Palestinian internal unity.

The Islamic Jihad movement said that it welcomes Abbas' step. It added that such step would protect the interests of the Palestinian people.

It added that the internal dialogue is in need for immediate practical steps.

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) welcomed Abbas' initiative and called on "all concerned bodies" to go through the internal dialogue based on Cairo agreement.

From its part, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine described Abbas' call as "brave in the right way".

In the same regard, the Popular Resistance Committees also welcomed Abbas' call for the internal dialogue.

Abbas initiative coincides with the 41st occasion of the 1967 war called for a Palestinian internal dialogue.

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad added his voice to a chorus of Arab support for proposed talks aimed at restoring Palestinian national unity.

In a phone call with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the deposed Palestinian Prime Minister, Assad said that Palestinian unity is a priority of the Arab League.

Separately, Tunisian President Zine Al-Abedine Ben Ali called President Abbas and expressed support for the Palestinian cause. According to Abbas’ office, the Tunisian leader said he would stand by the Palestinians and their leader, President Abbas.

In London, King Abdullah of Jordan warned that continued Israeli settlement policies threaten Palestinian rights to an independent state.

During talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street, King Abdullah said achieving peace and living in security and stability in the region will not be realized through settlement construction or by ignoring historic rights of the Palestinian people.

The Monarch stressed the need to build on international efforts during the past few months to advance the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.

He called on the UK to intensify its efforts within the European Union and the international community to support Palestinians and Israelis in reaching a peace agreement which addresses final status issues.

King Abdullah said ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and meeting Palestinian aspirations for freedom and independence are the only means to build a secure and stable Middle East.

The Monarch commended British efforts to assist the Palestinian National Authority in improving the Palestinians' living conditions.

The talks also addressed the situation in Lebanon following the agreement among Lebanese political factions to elect a new president and begin negotiations to form a new government.

The two sides also discussed Iraq and the government's efforts to foster security and stability in the country.

King Abdullah and Brown also discussed bilateral issues and ways to develop ties, especially in the economic field.

The Monarch expressed appreciation of British support for Jordan's recent efforts to buy back part of its debt to the Paris Club.

King Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Rania are on a several-day working visit to the UK. The Monarch was awarded an honorary degree from Oxford University.

The Doctor of Civil Law by Diploma, presented to King Abdullah by Lord Patten of Barnes, the university chancellor, is the highest honorary degree awarded to foreign heads of state by the university.

Addressing Oxford faculty, staff and students, as well as London-based diplomats, King Abdullah said Europe, especially the United Kingdom, can make a critical contribution to conflict resolution, as honest brokers in negotiations, as sources of security support and as investors in the Palestinian economy.

King Abdullah also accepted an honorary fellowship from Pembroke College, where he studied for a year, and toured the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), an institution dedicated to scholarly understanding of Islam and Islamic culture.

During the tour, OCIS Director Farhan Nizami briefed the Monarch on the center's role in building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Islamic and Western nations as well as work currently under way to complete building the centre, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In an interview with Petra, Nizami referred to the Amman Message, launched by King Abdullah in 2004, describing it as one of the most important initiatives in the Islamic world.

The OCIS, an academic centre associated with Oxford University was established in 1985 to encourage the scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world. It has been working to promote the world’s understanding of Islam through enhancing international cooperation and organizing specialized seminars, programs and cultural conferences.

The Arab League (AL) Council has decided to hold an extraordinary meeting on June 15 to discuss the Israeli settlement activities in the disputed territory, an AL spokesman said.

Abdel Aleem al-Abiyad, spokesman for AL chief Amr Moussa, made the announcement in a brief press release, saying the meeting will be held at the level of permanent delegates.

Israeli Housing Ministry published a bid for the construction of more than 800 apartment units in east Jerusalem, the latest decision to build more houses in the disputed territory since the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks at the U.S.-sponsored Annapolis conference last November.

The plan has drawn harsh criticism from the Palestinian side and the international community, including Israel's ally the United States.

The United States said such construction is non-conducive to peace efforts, and the Palestinian side has accused Israel of sabotaging the peace talks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that peace negotiations with Israel can't go on as Israel "swallows Jerusalem and expand settlements in the West Bank."

United Nations' Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he is deeply concerned about expansion of Jewish settlements by Israel.

The UN chief is "deeply concerned" at Israel's decision to build 884 more houses in east al-Quds, which is "contrary to international law," Ban's press office said.

"The government of Israel's continued construction in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law and to its commitments under the roadmap and the Annapolis process," the statement added.

Drafted in 2003 by the European Union, US, Russia and the UN, the roadmap for Middle East peace call for a halt to Israel's settlement activity in Palestinian territories.

Israel, however, announced plans to build 884 more houses in occupied and annexed east al-Quds.

The Palestinians have repeatedly called the expansion of settlements in the West Bank including east al-Quds the biggest obstacle to a final peace deal.

Palestinian Liberation Organization Chief Negotiator Sa’eb Erekat described the differences between the Israelis and Palestinians on Israeli settlements in the West Bank as "strong, deep and intricate."

His comments came following the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

During a press conference at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, Erekat said that the Israeli decision to expand existing West Bank settlements, issued before the Abbas-Olmert meeting in Jerusalem, was an intrinsic part of the meeting.

Erekat added that during the meeting the final status negotiations were reviewed and evaluated. He confirmed that the Palestinian side is committed to the main target of the peace process which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.

Erekat denied that Egyptian-brokered ceasefire talks between resistance factions in the Gaza Strip and Israel had been aborted, confirming that they are still ongoing.

He told reporters that Abbas had confirmed to Olmert that he welcomed the Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel over the Golan Heights, expressing his hopes that both sides would resume comprehensive negotiations.

Erekat clarified that the issue of Palestinian prisoners was raised during the meeting. Olmert has promised to consider Abbas’ demand for the release of long-term prisoners, including women and children.

Erekat confirmed the Palestinian Authority (PA) had refused Israel's offer of allowing four of the 39 Palestinians deported to the Gaza Strip and Europe after the 2002 Church of the Nativity siege in Bethlehem.

Following the 40-day siege 26 Palestinians were exiled to the Gaza Strip and 13 to various European countries.

He said that Abbas demanded 10,000 new Palestinian identity cards for Palestinians who have been granted family reunification permits. He said Abbas had secured initial agreement from the Israelis. The names will be announced when the procedures are finalized.

Abbas also raised with Olmert the issue of 3,000 houses under demolition order in Area C, asking that the order be retracted. According to Erekat, the two premiers also discussed checkpoints, closures and blockades in the West Bank.

A spokesman from Olmert’s office said Olmert told Abbas that the political process between both sides will continue in spite of the current internal crisis in Israel. Olmert has pledged to work towards reaching an agreement regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state before the end of 2008.

During the meeting with Abbas, Olmert confirmed Israel's intention to continue construction in Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem to accommodate residential growth.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters at a press briefing that "our position on the settlements is that we don't believe that any more settlements should be built, and we know that it exacerbates the tension when it comes to the negotiations with the Palestinians."

According to a transcript released by the White House, Perino also said that the expansion of existing settlements "is part of the problem in terms of Palestinians feeling that that is not acting in good faith when it comes to their negotiations."

U.S. President George W. Bush met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the White House upon the latter is being forced by domestic political rivals to resign over graft allegations.

The summit meeting, which occurred at a time when U.S. officials acknowledged the uncertainty about Olmert's future, demonstrates, among others, the Israeli premier's determination to rebuff calls that he must leave office over allegations that he took envelopes stuffed with cash from a Jewish-American businessman.