Abed Rabbo: Israeli approval of quartet statement is new maneuver

Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Monday considered the Israeli approval of the Quartet statement on Sunday a “new maneuver.” “It is a new maneuver to buy time and deceive international public opinion while it continues its settlement activities on the ground,” said Abed Rabbo to Voice of Palestine radio. He stressed the Palestinian leadership’s position on resuming negotiations only on a clear basis and terms of reference, mainly an immediate halt in settlements. The US welcomed Israel’s approval of the Quartet’s proposal to renew peace talks with Palestinians within a month, and called on both sides to follow the Quartet’s timetable and immediately resume unconditional negotiations.