Abbas rejects transitional state proposals

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas underlined his rejection of proposals for a transitional Palestinian state with temporary borders in talks Friday with Canada's foreign affairs minister.

Some Israeli officials floated the idea of establishing a transitional Palestinians state to give a push to the peace process, leaving final borders to be negotiated later. But Abbas has rejected the idea, fearing a final deal would never be reached, leaving only a truncated state.

Abbas met Friday with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter McKay and reiterated that the peace process should instead follow the US-backed road map plan, which envisions negotiations leading to a final deal establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel, Abbas aide Saeb Erekat said.

"We have seen a commitment tonight from the foreign minister of Canada to a two-state solution, toward pursuing a meaningful peace process and toward the implementation of the roadmap," Erekat told reporters in the Jordanian capital after the talks.

Abbas also told McKay the Palestinians hope Canada "will do its utmost" to help resolve the issue of Palestinian refugees, "Which is the core of the conflict," Erekat said.

MacKay said his talks with Abbas were held in a "very constructive and positive way" on what Canada might offer to revive the peace process.

"What I am going to do throughout my time in the region is to meet with other important players here in the region and listen carefully to find a way in which Canada can make a positive contribution and bring a constructive and reasoned voice to this important discussion which is happening in the region now," MacKay said.