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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
(Reuters)
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Last update - 05:58 08/05/2009
U.S.: We are committed to Syrian-Israeli peace deal
By Yoav Stern and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies
Tags: israel news, peace plan 

The United States told Syria on Thursday it was committed to seeking a peace deal between the Syrian government and Israel, a main objective for Damascus in its rapprochement with Washington.

"We conveyed...President Obama's sincere commitment to pursue Arab-Israeli peace on all tracks, including on the Syrian-Israeli track," senior State Department official Jeffrey Feltman said after meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem in the Syrian capital.

Moallem said Thursday there was no justification for amending a 2002 Saudi peace offer to Israel after reports earlier in the week that Arab states were revising the initiative.
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The pan-Arab Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper said Tuesday that Arab states were considering concessions to Israel on the right of return of Palestinian refugees and on the transfer of the Old City of Jerusalem to UN control.

Arab sources told Haaretz on Wednesday, however, that any renewed involvement in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would be based on the 2002 Saudi peace initiative without changes.

Moallem also told reporters before meeting Feltman and National Security Council member Daniel Shapiro that Damascus was still testing American intentions toward his country.

On Wednesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that he and his Egyptian counterpart planned to present the Obama administration with a complete formula for resolving the Middle East conflict.

The Palestinian Authority and several Arab states are developing a plan to be submitted to U.S. President Barack Obama that would provide for gestures to Israel in return for Israeli concessions to the Palestinians. The plan is designed to show Arab flexibility in the face of what they view as anticipated intransigence on the part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian sources in Ramallah said on Wednesday that they expect the Obama administration to force a new peace plan of its own on Israel and the Palestinians next month, which would be developed in consultation with the parties to the conflict but not necessarily with their agreement.

The American plan would, however, have the support of the European Union, the United Nations and Russia, said the sources. It would deal with a final settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including relations with Syria and Lebanon. It would also mention the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab states.

The plan will only be finalized after U.S. President Obama's upcoming meetings with Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The plan is not expected to address the Iranian issue, which will be handled separately by the Americans.

A senior Palestinian official, Yasser Abed Rabbo, told Haaretz by phone from Jordan on Wednesday that the Palestinians believe the Americans are determined to pursue peace in the Middle East.

Abbas met with Mubarak in Cairo as part of an effort to coordinate the Arab position with regard to the United States. A major topic of discussion in the talks was the nature of Arab goodwill gestures toward Israel and what the Arabs would demand of Israel.

An informed source said the Palestinians are interested in bringing the Arab countries into the negotiations as a "third party," in anticipation that it would strengthen the Palestinian position vis-a-vis the United States.

The Palestinians are interested in demonstrating initiative on the part of the Arab states, including renewed involvement by an Arab League delegation in direct talks with Israel as well as other gestures demonstrating normalization.


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      1.   gaza 03:33  |  vik 07/05/09
      2.   No thanks!! 04:07  |  Mark 07/05/09
      3.   Another Plan? 04:56  |  Jeff Northridge 07/05/09
      4.   yes please 05:12  |  cesare 07/05/09
      5.   DO NOT INTERNATIONALIZE ANY PART OF JERUSALEM!!! 05:36  |  Avi 07/05/09
      6.   Let me guess, The arabs will ask for everything. 05:50  |  Slappy 07/05/09
      7.   Original Arab plan is a Joke, its a non-starter.... 05:53  |  Edward 07/05/09
      8.   peace plan? 06:09  |  Mark 07/05/09
      9.   Simple solution for Right of Return 06:10  |  Harold 07/05/09
      10.   Go ahead 06:11  |  Colin Wright 07/05/09
      11.   Mark, #1 06:12  |  Yuval 07/05/09
      12.   Will they be derogatory gestures. 06:20  |  Sarah 07/05/09
      13.   All Hail! ....sure buddy what ever you say 06:32  |  david 07/05/09
      14.   You Know What`s Really Wrong With The Middle East? 06:38  |  Yosemite 07/05/09
      15.   #2, Jeff Northridge, regarding the plan 06:41  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/05/09
      16.   I`m Working On A Plan Too... 06:49  |  Yosemite 07/05/09
      17.   #2 I doubt it, Jeff 06:57  |  Johnboy 07/05/09
      18.   World`s Greatest Plan... 06:59  |  Yosemite 07/05/09
      19.   #1 How about you stop building settlements, for once? 07:42  |  Nour 07/05/09
      20.   The more things change the more they stay the same. 07:47  |  Old Chinese proverb 07/05/09
      21.   Obama, Force? 07:54  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/05/09
      22.   `Complete`?? 08:10  |  Onesimus 07/05/09
      23.   Mr. Puppet 08:17  |  ricardo 07/05/09
      24.   Let me get this straight 08:20  |  utagawa 07/05/09
      25.   Abbas to give U.S. `complete` peace plan 08:32  |  gideon ben yoash 07/05/09
      26.   They are losers 08:35  |  Mr. Reality 07/05/09
      27.   Christian Sites 08:38  |  Uncle Sam 07/05/09
      28.   clearly, obama means change in I/P 08:47  |  steve 07/05/09
      29.   everybody`s busy with plans for Israel, who is not given a say 09:09  |  Alicia 07/05/09
      30.   Is time still on Israels side or will Obama change the game? 09:33  |  Natallie Durson 07/05/09
      31.   To Mr Reality #4 09:40  |  Optipessimist 07/05/09
      32.   how many plans does it take to change a light bulb? 09:46  |  v hardman 07/05/09
      33.   Israel Note Interested in Peace 09:50  |  Adam 07/05/09
      34.   Very interesting statement by Natallie Durson #6 10:04  |  S 07/05/09
      35.   Getting Closer 10:13  |  Ron 07/05/09
      36.   "Abbas to present U.S with `complete` peace plan" 10:17  |  Akram Zekaria 07/05/09
      37.   Conflict already resolved 10:18  |  Baruch Gold 07/05/09
      38.   13~ Adam " Israel is Note interested in Peace " 10:36  |  Akram Zekaria 07/05/09
      39.   2-State is Wrong Solution 10:38  |  Shimon Cleopas 07/05/09
      40.   # 4 utagawa 10:44  |  Axel 07/05/09
      41.   Optipessimist #11 10:45  |  Michael 07/05/09
      42.   to Mr. Reality #6 10:47  |  zeev 07/05/09
      43.   the plan 10:50  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/05/09
      44.   #13 To Adam in NYC 10:51  |  Hastaroth 07/05/09
      45.   #16 does axel mean a LAW dictionary? its alegal term mussy 10:56  |  vhardman 07/05/09
      46.   Don`t forget, King Abdullah of Jordan has a plan too! 11:23  |  Alicia 07/05/09
      47.   Solana of the EU too has a plan 11:24  |  Alicia 07/05/09
      48.   Only Ahmadenijehad has an absolute plan for Israel 11:27  |  Alicia 07/05/09
      49.   Btw. has anybody asked yet what plan G-D might have for Israel? 11:29  |  Alicia 07/05/09
      50.   Is anybody interested in Israel`s plan? 11:30  |  Alicia 07/05/09
      51.   Israel left behind again 11:50  |  Gordon 07/05/09
      52.   Odd man out 12:11  |  Matty Groves 07/05/09
      53.   IRAN refuses any Israel peace deal.Obama can delude himself 12:44  |  PETER SM 07/05/09
      54.   THE BOTTOM LINE 12:54  |  Gabriel G 07/05/09
      55.   Hopefully players realize they can not push Israel too stronng: 13:03  |  no game 07/05/09
      56.   Rockets and Peace 13:04  |  Iain 07/05/09
      57.   #27 matty and grade d in history peace is made with 13:12  |  vhardman 07/05/09
      58.   to all - i`m confused 13:17  |  Daniela 07/05/09
      59.   holocaust denier Abbas 13:28  |  Paul S. 07/05/09
      60.   baruch gold 13:31  |  Paul S. 07/05/09
      61.   To #31 13:57  |  Sam Soul 07/05/09
      62.   To Paul S. 14:06  |  Sam Soul 07/05/09
      63.   THE KLast thing Iran`s friend wants is a viable peace solution 14:45  |  PETER SM 07/05/09
      64.   the united arab fantasy is falling apart before it begins 15:00  |  v hardman 07/05/09
      65.   #2 No, Jeff, because there is only one plan out there 15:03  |  Johnboy 07/05/09
      66.   peace in the middle east 15:18  |  Avraham 07/05/09
      67.   Unbiased Response to Issue - OliveTreeNews.com 15:32  |  OliveTreeNews.com 07/05/09
      68.   the bridges to bush have been burnt 15:44  |  Yaakov Sullivan 07/05/09
      69.   # 21 Axel...he knows exactly what he is saying 15:45  |  Lynn 07/05/09
      70.   Akram Zekaria......I agree wholeheartedly 15:59  |  Lynn 07/05/09
      71.   #38 Avraham "Peace for Peace" 16:07  |  H 07/05/09
      72.   Obama and Abdullah: Land for Gestures 16:09  |  r 07/05/09
      73.   The Old City of Jerusalem 16:11  |  Fredy Ross 07/05/09
      74.   To Avraham 16:17  |  Sam Soul 07/05/09
      75.   Cipora, do you want peace? 16:25  |  Ibrahim 07/05/09
      76.   Baruch Gold and Jeff Northridge... 16:27  |  Ibrahim 07/05/09
      77.   How pathetic and naive this new American president is ! 16:27  |  Jew 07/05/09
      78.   One thing Obama needs to know 16:29  |  Ibrahim 07/05/09
      79.   Stop the terror from Gaza and peace will be 16:36  |  Abu Yusuf 07/05/09
      80.   #40.F.Ross. As for the Partitioned of PALESTINE is concerned 16:37  |  Joe Harisson 07/05/09
      81.   No state can benefit from aggression 16:53  |  Keith T. 07/05/09
      82.   UN sanctions on Israel wll need to be enacted 16:56  |  Harold 07/05/09
      83.   uncle sam 16:59  |  danish 07/05/09
      84.   Why Obamba can pressure Israel 17:01  |  Harold 07/05/09
      85.   #49.Ibrahim, OBAMA do have more COHONES than many 17:06  |  Yunis 07/05/09
      86.   Ibrahim obviously believes ... 17:11  |  Jasper 07/05/09
      87.   plan 17:21  |  danish 07/05/09
      88.   # 40 17:28  |  OZ 07/05/09
      89.   Syria SUrvives in the Shadow of Iran, forget this! 17:36  |  Big Sur 07/05/09
      90.   ibrahim 17:37  |  oz 07/05/09
      91.   Natalie the question ... is time on your side?? 17:40  |  Big Sur 07/05/09
      92.   #15 "S" Natalie has said she really lives in Germany. 17:44  |  Big Sur 07/05/09
      93.   We`re committed to our own security 17:50  |  x-ray 07/05/09
      94.   Jasper obviously believes... 17:52  |  Ibrahim 07/05/09
      95.   #8 uncle sam 17:54  |  x-ray 07/05/09
      96.   Oz is living in la la land... 17:54  |  Ibrahim 07/05/09
      97.   existencial threat 18:01  |  JH 07/05/09
      98.   What are they smoking in Washington? 18:01  |  Dave 07/05/09
      99.   these agreements will not be worth the paper they are written on 18:01  |  vhardman 07/05/09
      100.   #75 Big Sur - Last I heard Natalie was 18:02  |  *BEN JABO 07/05/09
      101.   Germans and Arabs 18:08  |  utagawa 07/05/09
      102.   Obama is sensible to think that the 18:09  |  Mark Lincoln 07/05/09
      103.   We want real peace not plans and fake overtures 18:16  |  Baruch Gold 07/05/09
      104.   To Ibrahim 18:25  |  Sam Soul 07/05/09
      105.   To Baruch 18:33  |  Sam Soul 07/05/09
      106.   Invite Mr. President to measure the distance between 18:39  |  Jew- and Bookburner 07/05/09
      107.   Ibrahim is the perfect example why Israel shouldnt make gestures 18:40  |  x-ray 07/05/09
      108.   Obama-Biden-Clinton Mideast Policy = Baker Plan. 18:43  |  Joseph.E 07/05/09
      109.   To Baruch (2) 18:46  |  Sam Soul 07/05/09
      110.   just a little tweaking 18:47  |  sy 07/05/09
      111.   #3 Edward 18:50  |  Jim 07/05/09
      112.   Ibrahim and Sam Soul Le parisienne 19:06  |  David Israel 07/05/09
      113.   #32 Adam 19:06  |  Jim 07/05/09
      114.   Correct, Keith #80, no state benefit from aggression 19:08  |  Sanders 07/05/09
      115.   Syria / Obama peace deal!!! 19:20  |  Col [Res] Cohen 07/05/09
      116.   #68 Hey Cupcake, Lynn, gee 19:28  |  ballistic 07/05/09
      117.   #10 19:32  |  CESARE 07/05/09
      118.   #31 19:34  |  Cesare 07/05/09
      119.   #99 Say there BJ, er, there you 19:35  |  ballistic 07/05/09
      120.   #36 Baruch Gold 19:35  |  Jim 07/05/09
      121.   #103 Say Baruch, "graciously recognizing" 19:39  |  ballistic 07/05/09
      122.   New administration, same-old 19:47  |  Chrisona 07/05/09
      123.   #45 Okay Paul Harris, I give up 19:50  |  ballistic 07/05/09
      124.   Finalized, realized: Strike 1 19:52  |  Chrisona 07/05/09
      125.   Simple formula 20:15  |  Chrisona 07/05/09
      126.   Any concessions by the Palestinians? 20:36  |  Jess Ghannam 07/05/09
      127.   plan 20:39  |  oz 07/05/09
      128.   Nour is their land,not your,you`re the one who`s a settler 20:43  |  MMM 07/05/09
      129.   why bother 20:47  |  Gregor 07/05/09
      130.   Uncle Sam...why are you bragging about your 20:50  |  MMM 07/05/09
      131.   # 31 20:50  |  ehud 07/05/09
      132.   US. We are committed to....what..? 20:58  |  Stephen. 07/05/09
      133.   foot dragging?????? 21:05  |  arik 07/05/09
      134.   x-ray, grow up 21:07  |  Ibrahim 07/05/09
      135.   how israel should respond to the golan issue 21:09  |  samuel the seer 07/05/09
      136.   foot dragging?????? 21:12  |  arik 07/05/09
      137.   what syria wants 21:13  |  samuel the seer 07/05/09
      138.   a israeli syrian exchange 21:15  |  samuel the seer 07/05/09
      139.   will the americans never learn? 21:19  |  samuel the seer 07/05/09
      140.   Can anyone tell me how many times a day 21:21  |  *BEN JABO 07/05/09
      141.   ballistic the waitress is back 21:29  |  goldwater 07/05/09
      142.   #115 Say Col Cohen 21:46  |  ballistic 07/05/09
      143.   I wonder if: 21:53  |  na 07/05/09
      144.   #46 Alicia 21:55  |  Jim 07/05/09
      145.   #131, Stephen 22:34  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/05/09
      146.   Arab Muslims are under bondage! 22:35  |  MMM 07/05/09
      147.   Peace Process 22:41  |  Jasper 07/05/09
      148.   I would like to share the riddle from my youth that came to mind 22:59  |  TonyL 07/05/09
      149.   Obama 23:29  |  The Teacher/Instruct 07/05/09
      150.   Nothing to offer 00:48  |  Ray 08/05/09
      151.   Evenhanded US policy bearing fruit, correcting pro-Israel bias 01:06  |  Ivar 08/05/09
      152.   Fireworks after the dinner? 01:43  |  TonyL 08/05/09
      153.   re: Matty Groves 01:49  |  UsedToPostHere 08/05/09
      154.   re: Ivar 01:50  |  UsedToPostHere 08/05/09
      155.   #140 Say BJ, aka Goldwater 02:03  |  ballistic 08/05/09
      156.   Ivar and Jihadism Fruit Tree 02:03  |  Brod 08/05/09
      157.   Sam Soul 02:04  |  Jasper 08/05/09
      158.   all are accepting the unknown 02:06  |  peter 08/05/09
      159.   #148 Ivar - Ever watch a Hamster on a treadmill 02:13  |  *BEN JABO 08/05/09
      160.   #146 Don`t worry Kath, Paul Harris 02:28  |  ballistic 08/05/09
      161.   S #34 a very interesting twisting of the trurh 04:33  |  American in NY 08/05/09
      162.   Brod, you are just weird... 05:14  |  BBSNews 08/05/09
      163.   Ivar, ain`t it exciting? 05:18  |  BBSNews 08/05/09
      164.   Common sense. 08:18  |  Jean Van Daem 08/05/09
      165.   #145.Cipora Juliana Kohn. 09:07  |  Stephen. 08/05/09
      166.   #165, Stephen 11:03  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 08/05/09
      167.   Peace Plan will = Pieces 11:16  |  Jas 08/05/09
      168.   Jerusalem Joe Harrison 13:07  |  Fredy Ross 08/05/09
      169.   #.166. Cipora Juliana Kohn. 15:36  |  Stephen. 08/05/09
      170.   THE LAST TIME ACOUNTRY WAS PRESSSURED 16:37  |  v hardman 08/05/09
      171.   Peace Deal 01:24  |  tinka 09/05/09
      172.   tinka #171 18:47  |  bronxite10 09/05/09
      173.   ABBAS ? 20:12  |  The Teacher/Instruct 09/05/09
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