This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6282808.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Palestinian PM holds Israel talks Palestinian PM holds Israel talks
(40 minutes later)
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has met the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, for the first time since he took office last month.Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has met the Palestinian Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad, for the first time since he took office last month.
The meeting is seen as a gesture of support for the moderate Palestinian leadership led by Mahmoud Abbas.The meeting is seen as a gesture of support for the moderate Palestinian leadership led by Mahmoud Abbas.
Israeli and Arab officials meanwhile said an Arab League delegation will go to Israel for the first time this week.Israeli and Arab officials meanwhile said an Arab League delegation will go to Israel for the first time this week.
The visit will focus on an Arab peace initiative and ways to help the beleaguered Palestinian Authority.The visit will focus on an Arab peace initiative and ways to help the beleaguered Palestinian Authority.
Israel rejected the Saudi-led peace plan when it was launched in 2002 but gave some aspects a cautious welcome when it was endorsed by moderate Arab states earlier this year.Israel rejected the Saudi-led peace plan when it was launched in 2002 but gave some aspects a cautious welcome when it was endorsed by moderate Arab states earlier this year.
Increased diplomacy Prisoner release
A statement released after Ms Livni's meeting with Mr Fayyad said: "The discussion dealt primarily with the situation in the Palestinian Authority [PA] and the ways of improving the lives of the residents in the territories while preserving Israeli security interests." A Israeli statement issued after Ms Livni's meeting with Mr Fayyad said: "The discussion dealt primarily with the situation in the Palestinian Authority [PA] and the ways of improving the lives of the residents in the territories while preserving Israeli security interests."
It will be the first time (Israel) will be flying the Arab League flag Mark RegevIsraeli Foreign Ministry Arab League profile
An official in Mr Fayyad's office said the meeting dealt with "broader political issues, not just removing a checkpoint here and there".An official in Mr Fayyad's office said the meeting dealt with "broader political issues, not just removing a checkpoint here and there".
The Israeli cabinet has also approved plans for releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners. On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved plans for releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners.
This increased diplomacy comes three weeks after the militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, which split the Palestinian territories into two separately controlled entities. The increased diplomacy comes three weeks after the Palestinian militant group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, which split the Palestinian territories into two separately controlled entities.
PA President Mahmoud Abbas ejected Hamas from government after the takeover and appointed Mr Fayyad as prime minister in an emergency cabinet. PA President Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the elected Hamas-led government after the takeover and appointed Mr Fayyad as prime minister in an emergency cabinet.
The US and Israel have offered strong support for Mr Abbas - as has the Arab League.
The organisation is expected to send Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and his Jordanian counterpart Abdul-Ilah al-Khatib to Israel.
"This is the first time the Arab League is coming to Israel," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said.
"From its inception the Arab League has been hostile to Israel. It will be the first time we'll be flying the Arab League flag."
Correspondents say the Arab League has grown increasingly conciliatory towards the new Palestinian cabinet given the expanding influence of Islamic militants in the region.