In Jordan, Livni urges Abbas to resume peace talks

Opposition leader tells Palestinian president 'Middle East is changing, and peace talks stalemate serves extremists'

Moran Azulay|Published: 11.30.11 , 15:14

Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni on Wednesday met in Amman, Jordan with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and urged him to return to the negotiating table with the Israeli government.

Knesset members Tzachi Hanegbi, Ronnie Bar-On and Haim Ramon also attended the meeting.

"Don't let extremist Islamic forces sweep over you as well. The Middle East is changing and the (peace talks) stalemate serves the extremists, who are taking advantage of the (Israeli-Palestinian) conflict across the Arab world," Livni told Abbas, adding that unilateral steps would not the end of the regional conflict or lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

"We must work together now to fend off the extremist Islamic forces," the opposition leader told the Palestinian president.

Livni updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and President Shimon Peres on the meeting.

During the meeting, the Kadima chairwoman also said, "It is clear to everyone that serious negotiation towards and agreement would (calm the situation). Don't let Hamas solidify its agenda by forming a unity government with you. There is no chance for peace with them.

"Now, before a unity cabinet is formed, faced with regional changes, and instead of unilateral steps at the UN, negotiations must be started before it's too late, and I urge you to do so before it's too late," Livni added.

Also Wednesday, Israel decided to release tax money it had been withholding from the Palestinians since they won membership to the UN cultural agency UNESCO a month ago.

Netanyahu's inner cabinet, facing international pressure, voted to unfreeze the funds, amounting to about $100 million a month, which Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, the official said.