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Comments:  76
Last update - 14:51 26/01/2009
Netanyahu: Likud-led coalition wouldn't build new settlements
By Barak Ravid
Tags: Tony Blair, Settlements 

A Likud-led government would not build new settlements in the West Bank but would allow for natural growth, Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu told Quartet envoy Tony Blair Sunday, in an apparent attempt to calm the international community before this week's arrival of George Mitchell, the newly appointed U.S. envoy to the Middle East.

"I have no intention of building new settlements in the West Bank," Netanyahu told Blair in a meeting Sunday. "But like all the governments there have been until now, I will have to meet the needs of natural growth in the population. I will not be able to choke the settlements."

Netanyahu also said he plans to work to advance negotiations with the Palestinians quickly and to focus on economic development.
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"Every moment of stagnation isn't good, and I plan to deal with the Palestinian issue very intensively," he said.

Netanyahu and Blair discussed the renewed American interest in the Middle East and Mitchell's visit to the region, as well as the 2001 Mitchell Report compiled by a committee he headed. The report led to the roadmap and called for a freeze in settlement construction.

Mitchell, who is due to arrive Wednesday, will be meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Netanyahu. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has delayed a trip to Washington planned for Tuesday night so he will be able to meet with Mitchell as well - although when Mitchell was appointed Mideast envoy by then-U.S. president Bill Clinton in the final days of the Barak government, the Labor leader ordered the army and government ministries not to cooperate with him.

According to Likud officials, Netanyahu recently said he would like to form a coalition without Kadima because he doesn't think the leaders of the Likud breakaway party could survive a stint in the opposition, ultimately causing Kadima to disappear from politics. The officials said Netanyahu wants to include Labor, Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas in a Likud-led government.

Mazal Mualem contributed to this report.

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      1.   Tell him the news 04:31  |  St. Nick 26/01/09
      2.   Netanyahu will covertly fund settlements 04:34  |  Louis 26/01/09
      3.   Accommodating Natural Growth = I L L E G A L 04:38  |  Samual 26/01/09
      4.   Please all people from Israel ! 06:05  |  Hans 26/01/09
      5.   If Bibi doesn`t need the ultra orthodox nut cases to form a 06:09  |  Sarah 26/01/09
      6.   Likud led Netanyahu has to stop being wishy-washy, clearly state 06:15  |  Smadar 26/01/09
      7.   Ahmad Tibi won`t for sure either. 06:26  |  Plumber 26/01/09
      8.   natural growt...!!!! 06:39  |  ravi 26/01/09
      9.   Ravi of Punjab 07:00  |  Peter Williams 26/01/09
      10.   The settlements. 07:10  |  Jean Van Daem 26/01/09
      11.   For sure "no new settlements..." 07:12  |  Esther 26/01/09
      12.   The salesman takes the day... 07:17  |  Esther 26/01/09
      13.   insult to the intelligence 07:33  |  MarkC 26/01/09
      14.   Need to start sometime... now is good. 07:45  |  Ethan 26/01/09
      15.   Settlement, or stealing land again. 07:48  |  The Prophet 26/01/09
      16.   The Land of Israel Belongs to the Jews 07:48  |  David Weinstein 26/01/09
      17.   Take down settlements 08:11  |  Leon Blaustein 26/01/09
      18.   someone forgot to tell bibi 08:19  |  george mitchell 26/01/09
      19.   Settlements are no barrier to peace - look at Gush Katif 08:22  |  Jared from Sydney 26/01/09
      20.   Here`s the plan for Bibi or whomever 08:23  |  Natallie Durson 26/01/09
      21.   Netanyahu & Settlements in the W. Bank 08:33  |  John Q. Public 26/01/09
      22.   BIBI WILL ANNEX THE LAND 08:59  |  indrajaya 26/01/09
      23.   Ms. Durson, your attention, please 09:03  |  Constitution 26/01/09
      24.   George Mitchell: FREEZE All Settlement Activities! 09:13  |  JustMe 26/01/09
      25.   #10 when is ther going to be a person who knows what they are 09:14  |  v hardman 26/01/09
      26.   Suburbs as all other countries have are their private business to 09:33  |  lily 26/01/09
      27.   sounds reasonable! 09:33  |  RM 26/01/09
      28.   # UNLUCKY NO. 13 09:37  |  Lily 26/01/09
      29.   #8 - Prophet 09:40  |  David 26/01/09
      30.   Israel doesn t want any peace,she prefers the setteements! 09:53  |  nathalie 26/01/09
      31.   How cute, of course the world leaders will believe Mr.Netanyahu.. 09:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/01/09
      32.   Natural growth 10:17  |  sh 26/01/09
      33.   Didn`t we hear this before? 10:24  |  Gray 26/01/09
      34.   Our Chameleon-like Politicians Change Color 10:43  |  Tzfonit 26/01/09
      35.   The only way out of this quandry is: 10:54  |  Esther 26/01/09
      36.   a path that leads to nowhere! 10:54  |  eric 26/01/09
      37.   Natural growth for illegal settlements is a negative one 11:34  |  John 26/01/09
      38.   For some of the smug "self sufficient" Israelis 11:51  |  Natallie Durson 26/01/09
      39.   `Natural growth` 11:54  |  Sylvie 26/01/09
      40.   undernith it nothing has changed 12:03  |  amihai 26/01/09
      41.   peter in brisbane 12:10  |  ravi 26/01/09
      42.   peter in brisbane 12:10  |  ravi 26/01/09
      43.   Likud chooses to consolidate West Bank land grab 12:13  |  Ivar 26/01/09
      44.   Our Chameleon-like Politicians Change Color -2nd try 13:14  |  Tzfonit 26/01/09
      45.   Of course! Likud would abandond the dream 13:51  |  Mark Lincoln 26/01/09
      46.   News Headline: Netanyahu says... 14:22  |  Elvis 26/01/09
      47.   Beware of Bibi`s charms - he has not changed, still a snake 14:29  |  hopeful 26/01/09
      48.   Blair and his intrusion 14:46  |  Brod 26/01/09
      49.   start building in the Negev!! 15:32  |  Chrisa 26/01/09
      50.   Same Old Bullshit 15:38  |  Yaakov Sullivan 26/01/09
      51.   Natallie #31 15:45  |  Esther 26/01/09
      52.   Jared #16 16:04  |  Esther 26/01/09
      53.   Muslims own enemies 16:45  |  arik 26/01/09
      54.   Sure ... 17:25  |  Raad 26/01/09
      55.   Durson`s lies and hatred 18:50  |  August West 26/01/09
      56.   Israeli Supporter 20:01  |  Ron 26/01/09
      57.   Natural growth 22:47  |  Marcello 26/01/09
      58.   No need to swear not to build new settlements... 22:49  |  Silvienne 26/01/09
      59.   end settlements now! 23:19  |  david 26/01/09
      60.   #16, David Weinstein... 23:25  |  Silvienne 26/01/09
      61.   To: Indrajaya on annexation of the West Bank 23:29  |  Angel 26/01/09
      62.   To: The Prophet 23:39  |  Angel 26/01/09
      63.   weasel words 23:55  |  Facts on ground 26/01/09
      64.   peter williams nad lebensauran 23:57  |  palestinian 26/01/09
      65.   Netanyahu don`t want PEACE 00:27  |  Israeli Peacenik 27/01/09
      66.   Whats a Settlement??? 00:31  |  Baruch Gold 27/01/09
      67.   #55 August West, "Dursons Lies and hatred" 01:49  |  alan 27/01/09
      68.   With a wink and a nod, new settlements will flood the West Bank 03:23  |  Pablo B 27/01/09
      69.   World must once and for all put teeth behind demands 03:26  |  Pablo B 27/01/09
      70.   Netanyahu=the end of US support 03:30  |  Alesiter 27/01/09
      71.   You know what`s inevitable Alan? 03:45  |  August West 27/01/09
      72.   ISRAEL MUST ELECT NETANYAHU 05:47  |  David, NY 27/01/09
      73.   Such marvelous use of weasel-words 06:14  |  Johnboy 27/01/09
      74.   Natanyahu could be a better choice after all ... 08:14  |  Reuben Aaron 27/01/09
      75.   Barauch Gold and settlements 09:18  |  facts on ground 27/01/09
      76.   Instead of the same old drivel - vote for Meimad 23:01  |  Akiva 29/01/09
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