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Abbas and Olmert talks under way Israel to free inmates this week
(about 3 hours later)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are meeting in Jerusalem in their first meeting in three weeks. Israel has said it plans to release 250 Palestinian prisoners this week as a goodwill gesture.
The talks are expected to focus on Israeli efforts to bolster the Palestinian leader. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced the timing during a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem.
Mr Abbas, the leader of Fatah, sacked the Hamas-led government after it seized control of the Gaza Strip by force last month. Israel has been looking to bolster Mr Abbas since the Islamic militant group Hamas defeated his forces and seized control of the Gaza Strip last month.
The leaders' meeting is the latest in a series designed to build confidence. Mr Abbas has formed an emergency government, based in the West Bank.
Israel has recently released $100m in frozen Palestinian tax funds to Mr Abbas's new government, has promised to release 250 Palestinian prisoners and offered amnesty to 180 Fatah militants. The leaders' head-to-head is the latest in a series of meetings designed to build confidence.
The former Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniya of Hamas, has criticised the moves as "political bribes" aimed at increasing the divisions between the Palestinian factions. Speaking ahead of the discussions, Palestinian officials said Mr Abbas would be pushing for a resumption of talks on creating an independent Palestinian state.
Diplomatic flurry As well as the prisoner release, Israel has recently released $100 million (£50m) in frozen Palestinian tax funds to Mr Abbas's new government and offered amnesty to 180 Fatah militants.
The Israelis hope the measures will help strengthen Mr Abbas and his emergency administration in the West Bank. Former Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, of Hamas, has criticised the moves as "political bribes" aimed at increasing the divisions between the Palestinian factions.
"We want the Palestinian Authority to prove that they are fighting terror," said Israeli government spokesman Miri Eisin. 'None from Hamas'
Palestinian officials said Mr Abbas would push for a resumption of talks on creating an independent Palestinian state. More than 11,000 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli jails.
"The main subject on which President Abbas will insist is a political horizon for the peace process and the start of negotiations on a final status agreement," said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. Hamas forces took over Gaza by force last month
The meeting comes ahead of a flurry of diplomacy. Mr Olmert's spokesman, Jacob Galanti, said the release of 250 of them would take place on Friday.
He said 85% of the prisoners to be released were members of Mr Abbas's Fatah faction and the remainder were from smaller Palestinian parties. None would be Hamas members, he said.
Mr Galanti said the prisoners had been involved in violence against Israel, but none had "blood on their hands" - direct involvement in deadly attacks.
Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas had also agreed to meet again in two weeks, probably in the West Bank town of Jericho, Mr Galanti added.
Monday's meeting came ahead of a flurry of diplomatic activity.
US President George W Bush is due to speak later on Monday and is expected to reaffirm his support for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.US President George W Bush is due to speak later on Monday and is expected to reaffirm his support for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.
The international group of Middle East mediators known as the Quartet - the US, Russia, the EU and the UN - are meeting later in the week.The international group of Middle East mediators known as the Quartet - the US, Russia, the EU and the UN - are meeting later in the week.
At the same time, the Quartet's new envoy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, takes up his position.At the same time, the Quartet's new envoy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, takes up his position.