Palestine suggests cloning Iran (5+1) deal for peace talks

Palestine has has suggested replicating the style of Iran's negotiation deal (5+1) in the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki said.

In an interview with Asharq Al Awsat newspaper of Thursday, al Maliki said he discussed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergy Lavrov the possibility of adopting the style of (5+1) negotiations in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Asked about the positive steps might be taken by Barack Obama administration, the Palestinian foreign minister said that US officials said Washington will focus on the Palestinian cause after Congress' vote on the Iran's nuclear deal next month.

A White House official told Israeli reporters that the Iran's nuclear agreement comes at the expense of the Palestinian cause, Maliki said.

In response to a question about his recent visit to France and his meeting with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, the Palestinian top diplomat said the visit comes as part of previous meetings and contacts to discuss the French initiative to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Palestine is still in touch with the French officials to review the initiative and the next steps for resuming the Middle East peace talks, according to al Maliki.

Asked about the French draft resolution slated to be submitted to the UN Security Council in September, the Palestinian foreign minister said that the French authorities backtracked on their promises due to the Israeli and US rejection to the French initiative, adding the French foreign minister proposed forming a Follow-up and Support Group as an alternative to the French motion.