Direct talks between Palestinian, Israeli leaders must be held precisely in Moscow - Palestinian ambassador
MOSCOW. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Palestine is calling for direct talks between the leader of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be held precisely in Moscow, Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal told Interfax.
"We are ready for direct talks to be held in any capital but we are calling for them to be in Moscow," Nofal said, when asked whether Palestine is ready to hold such a meeting as is being proposed by this country's authorities.
The date of direct talks between the leaders of Palestine and Israel in Moscow has yet to be set, he said.
"Mr. Bogdanov [Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian president's special representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister] last week was in Israel where he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Moscow is still awaiting Israel's consent [to the date of the meeting]," Nofal said.
"Mr. Abbas in principle consented to the talks and supports President Vladimir Putin's initiative," he said.
