For "nine months the Palestinians wasted time and completely refused to accept this gesture and accused Israel that it's a fraud, it's not serious," Lieberman told reporters after meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"And today they are exerting pressure to maintain the same moratorium that they previously rejected.

"I think that even the fact that they came to the table, to the talks in the last weeks, it was not a real good intention to achieve an agreement, but the Americans imposed this process on them."

The foreign minister added: "The most important thing today is to keep the political process alive despite all our disputes."

"We are ready to continue the direct talks without pre-conditions. It was our position from the first day when we established this government, it is our position today, but we are not ready for any preconditions."

Lieberman went on: "I think the end of moratorium is not a reason to celebrate. We continue our normal life. We are a responsible country and a responsible government. We'll continue to be responsible government in the future."

Israeli settlers resumed construction in the occupied territories on Monday, hours after a 10-month old government moratorium ended. The Palestinian leadership has threatened to withdraw from US-organized peace negotiations over the settlements.

In the meeting, the UN secretary general "expressed his disappointment" that Israel did not extend the settlement moratorium, a UN spokesman said.

He also expressed "concern at provocative actions taking place on the ground" and highlighted that only direct negotiations could end the Middle East conflict.

They also discussed events in Lebanon and Gaza. Lieberman said Israel was worried about a proposed visit to Lebanon by Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

earlier related report
87 US Senators urge Obama to keep Abbas at talks
Washington (AFP) Sept 27, 2010 - Eighty-seven US Senators urged President Barack Obama on Monday to press Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas not to walk away from US-backed peace talks with Israel.

"It is critical that all sides stay at the table. Neither side should make threats to leave just as the talks are getting started," the lawmakers, an overwhelming majority of the 100-seat body, wrote in a letter to Obama.

Abbas had repeatedly warned he would abandon the negotiations if Israel were to continue building on occupied Palestinian land, but the Jewish state let a partial settlement freeze lapse.

As bulldozers across the West Bank lumbered into action on Monday, Abbas told reporters in Paris he would not rush to respond to Israel's refusal to extend the freeze, but would first consult Palestinian and Arab leaders.

He was to discuss the move with his Fatah movement and the Palestine Liberation Organization this week and meet with Arab foreign ministers on October 4.

"We urge you to continue to emphasize to Israeli and Palestinian leaders that direct talks, while difficult, provide the best hope of reaching a meaningful and lasting peace agreement," the US lawmakers wrote to Obama.

The senators also declared that "Arab states could do more to provide meaningful political and economic support for this process, including providing increased financial support to the Palestinian Authority."

"We understand that you share this sentiment and we respectfully request that you use your influence to ensure that there is sustained Arab support for the talks," they wrote.

The lawmakers also applauded the Obama administration's "commitment not to attempt to impose an agreement on the two parties."

"To truly achieve positive and meaningful results, it is absolutely critical to have an agreement that is carefully negotiated and ultimately embraced by both sides, and provides for Israel's lasting security," they wrote.

The powerful pro-Israel American-Israel Public Affairs Committee said in a statement that it "strongly applauds" the letter.

Senators Barbara Boxer, a Democrat from California, and Johnny Isakson, a Republican from Georgia, led the effort, joined by Democratic Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania and Republican Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina.

earlier related report
Britain 'disappointed' at end to Israeli settlement freeze
London (AFP) Sept 27, 2010 - Britain expressed its "disappointment" Monday at Israel's refusal to extend a moratorium on settlement-building in the West Bank and warned that Middle East peace talks could founder on the issue.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement: "I am very disappointed to hear that the moratorium has not been renewed.

"I remain very concerned that talks could falter on this issue and I call on Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and his government to show leadership to resolve this so the parties can focus on the real challenges ahead."

Later at a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the UN General Assembly in New York, Hague stressed success in the talks "was in Israel's long-term strategic interests," said the Foreign Office.

He also "highlighted the depth of concern in the international community about the settlement moratorium and urged that it be extended," added the ministry in a statement.

Israeli settlers resumed building across the West Bank on Monday after the partial freeze on construction expired, but the Palestinians held back on threats to quit peace talks over the move.

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News