By KUNA,
Ramallah : Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that peace talks with the Israelis are difficult but still ongoing.
Abbas told Fatah regional leaders in the West Bank that all issues are tabled.
The outcomes will be presented to the Palestinian people for a referendum, he added.
Abbas reiterated talks and addressing issues relating to settlements are the main priorities.
The statement came a few hours before Abbas’ meeting with his Israeli counterpart Shimon Perez in Jerusalem, and two days before his planned meeting with the Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
The Abbas-Olmert meeting will be held on Thursday as planned, Palestinian sources confirmed.
Abbas threatened to withdraw Palestinian security forces from Nablus if Israelis keep violating the truce and insulting the Palestinian authorities with their disregard.
He also voiced the Palestinian leadership’s keenness on restoring national unity, saying that he is not opposed to the formation of a conciliation cabinet to enable setting of a date for presidential and early legislative elections.
Abbas also pointed out he intends to pay official visits to Egypt and Arab League HQ to revive the Arab initiative.