Abbas aide: Time isn't ripe for meeting with Netanyahu

Nimr Hamad, a political advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said that the time isn't ripe for a meeting between Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamad said that before such a meeting can take place, it is necessary to see how the Israeli government addresses the issue of West Bank settlement construction. He expressed hope that Israel would initiate trust-building measures, including releasing prisoners, removing roadblocks and transferring West Bank territories to Palestinian control. (Elior Levy)