Palestinians reject talks without settlement halt

[oberliner]

CAIRO (AP) — The Palestinian president is sticking to his refusal to resume peace talks with Israel unless it freezes all construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his position during a visit to Cairo Thursday, days after U.S. officials said they had dropped efforts to persuade Israel to temporarily renew curbs on settlement. Abbas said Wednesday the peace negotiations were in a crisis after the U.S. decision.

Israelis and Palestinians launched the latest round of peace talks on Sept. 2 at a White House ceremony. But weeks later, the talks broke down after a 10-month Israeli slowdown on settlement construction expired and the government refused to renew it.

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