Israelis, Palestinians to hold indirect talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed the Arab League's backing to allow Palestinians to hold US-sponsored proximity talks.

Meanwhile, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat has warned Israel not to waste what he called a "historic opportunity."

Palestinian officials say they want the talks to focus initially on defining the borders of a state they hope to establish in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Erekat has pushed for Israel to negotiate with the aim of a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders. But despite these hopes, some observers doubt the talks will succeed where years of negotiations have failed.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abass (centre) answers a question during a press conference flanked by aides Saeb Erekat (left) and Palestinian ambassador to Egypt Nabil Amr. (AFP/Khaled Desouki)