Last update - 00:00 27/08/2007
PMO confirms Olmert, Abbas to meet Tuesday in Jerusalem
By Reuters
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will meet in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Olmert's office confirmed on Monday, for talks expected to focus on principles for Palestinian statehood.
The meeting at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, also confirmed by Palestinian officials, is part of a series of discussions leading up to a U.S.-sponsored Middle East conference expected to be held in November to try to revive peacemaking between Israel and Abbas' government.
The talks had been expected to take place but final arrangements were not confirmed until the last moment.
Abbas dismissed a Hamas-led government and formed a new administration in the West Bank after the Islamist group seized control of the Gaza Strip in June.
Palestinian Information Minister Riyad al-Malki said Abbas and Olmert would discuss fundamental issues that are key to establishing a Palestinian state.
"President Abbas has succeeded in convincing the Israelis to focus on the main issues," Malki said.