Abbas calls for clear agenda for Mideast peace conference

Special report: Internal situation in Palestine 

    CAIRO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday called for a clear agenda for a U.S.-sponsored international conference on Mideast peace, the Egyptian news agency MENA reported.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) speaks to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting at Al-Salem palace in Cairo Sept. 30, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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    Replying questions after his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Abbas told reporters that a clear agenda is a must for the peace conference and preparations are underway to conduct an agenda for the conference, according to MENA.

    More than 36 countries would attend the conference which is due to be held in the United States in November, Abbas was quoted as saying.

    Abbas said his meeting with Mubarak was meant to coordinate Arab-Palestinian stances on the talks, which will tackle main issues in the Palestinian cause, namely Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees, security and water.

    He added that his five meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were meant to pave way for meetings to be held between delegations from both sides, which will start their work as of Tuesday.

    During the summit, Abbas briefed Mubarak his meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush and other senior international officials on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

    Moreover, Abbas held a meeting at the airport with Arab League(AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa on the developments in the Palestinian lands and the outcome of his meetings in New York.

    Moussa was just returning from New York where he attended the UN General Assembly meetings.

    AL Secretary General spokesman Alaa Rushdi hailed the Moussa-Abbas meeting as a chance to exchange viewpoints on the outcome of the New York meetings as well as the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories which is a source of concern to everyone.

    Rushdi also noted that the international conference on Mideast peace still needs good preparations and many issues still need to be clarified.

    Coming from Lisbon, Portugal, Abbas left for Amman after his several-hour visit to Egypt.

Mubarak, Abbas meet on Palestinian developments

    CAIRO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met here Sunday on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, the official MENA news agency reported.

Erekat: Abbas, Olmert likely to meet Tuesday 

    RAMALLAH, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are likely to meet in Jerusalem on Tuesday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat announced on Sunday.

Abbas upbeat about Saudi participation in November Mideast peace conference

    JERUSALEM, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sounded optimistic at the weekend about Saudi Arabia's participation in the planned Middle East peace conference to be held the United States in November.