Washington: The United States has said it would not set a timetable for Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to reach agreement in upcoming US-sponsored Mideast peace talks, saying Washington would leave that to the parties themselves.

"Ultimately, the pace of the progress that the parties make is going to be up to them," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters yesterday. "We are prepared to work with the parties and move as fast as they decide they are ready to move together," he said.

His comments came hours after Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas called for a six-month deadline to reach a final status deal with Israel following talks scheduled for late November or early December.

McCormack said Washington would not press for a quick resolution to the talks, but hopefully, a lasting one. Reaching an accord, the spokesman said "is going to take the two working together with our support and encouragement, as well as the support and encouragement of the Arab states.

"We have demonstrated that we are committed to try to bring the two sides together to achieve the two-state solution, but the pace at which they move is going to be ultimately determined by the actions of the two parties," McCormack said. Israel has refused to commit to a timeframe for a peace deal, demanding that the Palestinians first crack down on militants.

Source : PTI