MIDDLE EAST: Conflicting reports about Sharon-Abbas meeting

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is from the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

AMMAN, May 29 2003 (IPS) - There were conflicting reports today about a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Premier Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas said yesterday a meeting between the two leaders was set for today in Jerusalem. However, Yasser Abd Rabbo, a Palestinian cabinet minister, said that the meeting has been postponed while Sharon’s office refused to confirm or deny the report.

Abbas said yesterday his meeting with Sharon was to set the ground for a meeting between the two leaders and US President George Bush to discuss implementation of the roadmap peace plan for the Middle East which envisages an end to Israeli-Palestinian violence and the creation of a Palestinian state.