By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli officials have dismissed as “a storm in a teacup” reports from Arab League officials that the organization may withdraw its 2002 peace plan unless Israel explicitly accepts the initiative, local daily Jerusalem Post reported Sunday on its website.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s spokesman Mark Regev was quoted as saying that Israel has welcomed the initiative and spoken of positive elements in the Arab League plan.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, whose country sponsored the Arab peace initiative, warned over the weekend that” despair would force us to review these options,” including withdrawing the proposal.
He further accused Israel of “sabotaging” the initiative, which was now “facing grave danger.”
The warnings reflect increasing Arab impatience with the pace of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, said Jerusalem Post.