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January 23, 2005

Abbas: Talks with militants to yield cease-fire 'very soon'

Topics: Middle East News and Perspectives

I love the Middle East; without this region and the endless circle of news that is ever-evolving in juxtaposition with yet another story having exactly the opposite in meaning, I'd have much less to write about, you would have much less to read about, and both of us would have far less meaningless nonsense to entertain us. Take a look at this picture and it's caption, then read the story from Haaretz:

Click on image to enlarge -Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades members training in Gaza on Sunday, while PA head Abbas was engaged in cease-fire talks with militants. (Reuters)

-Haaretz
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told Palestinian television Sunday afternoon that he had made significant progress in cease-fire talks with militant groups, saying they were bound to reach an agreement "very soon."

The Israel Defense Forces, for its part, is willing to suspend operations against Palestinian militants if they end their attacks on Israeli targets, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Sunday.

But Sharon also warned that Israeli security forces were ready for a vigorous response should Palestinian militants resume rocket attacks on Israeli communities.

Abbas, who has been in the Gaza Strip since last Tuesday, said Israel should respond positively to a truce with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions.

"We had an in-depth and comprehensive dialogue. Everybody feels the responsibility and the importance of putting an end to the situation that we are all living right now," Abbas said.
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Posted by Hyscience at January 23, 2005 6:43 PM

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