Jerusalem: The sensitive issue of Jerusalem did not figure during the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas which ended without reaching any agreement. "The issue of postponing the discussion on Jerusalem to the end of negotiations was not brought up in talks between me and Abbas," Olmert was quoted by Ynetnews as saying after the meeting yesterday.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Abbas and Olmert reviewed several issues without reaching agreement and have set another meeting in two weeks. The two sides are said to have made some progress on other subjects during the discussions in which Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who heads the Israeli peace negotiations team, and the head of the Palestinian team Ahmed Qureia were also present.

Local media reports quoted government sources as saying that the question of Jerusalem was not brought up for discussions though the PA had rejected calls by Israel to postpone negotiations on the issue towards the end of the process. "The issue was not brought up this evening, and you may draw any conclusion you wish. The Prime Minister s position is that the issue of Jerusalem is the most problematic.

If this issue is brought up now, the negotiations will end," a government source was quoted as saying. Abbas also raised concerns about Israel s blockade of Gaza and pushed for release of Palestinian prisoners, Erekat said.

Source : PTI