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Ex-US envoy Martin Indyk to lead Mid-East peace talks Ex-US envoy Martin Indyk to lead Mid-East peace talks
(35 minutes later)
Secretary of State John Kerry has named a former US ambassador to Israel as the lead negotiator on Middle East peace talks, set to resume Monday.Secretary of State John Kerry has named a former US ambassador to Israel as the lead negotiator on Middle East peace talks, set to resume Monday.
Martin Indyk said the assignment was "daunting and humbling", but expressed optimism an agreement could be reached.Martin Indyk said the assignment was "daunting and humbling", but expressed optimism an agreement could be reached.
The talks, stalled since 2010, follow months of shuttle diplomacy by Mr Kerry.The talks, stalled since 2010, follow months of shuttle diplomacy by Mr Kerry.
They were confirmed hours after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners.They were confirmed hours after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners.
The move, which split the Israeli cabinet, is to take place in stages over several months.The move, which split the Israeli cabinet, is to take place in stages over several months.
US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the initial talks would begin on Monday evening and continue on Tuesday.US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the initial talks would begin on Monday evening and continue on Tuesday.
'Two states''Two states'
Mr Kerry said at a press conference in Washington DC on Monday: "I know the negotiations are going to be tough, but I also know the consequences of not trying will be worse."Mr Kerry said at a press conference in Washington DC on Monday: "I know the negotiations are going to be tough, but I also know the consequences of not trying will be worse."
Mr Indyk then took to the podium to say: "It is a daunting and humbling challenge, but one that I cannot desist from."Mr Indyk then took to the podium to say: "It is a daunting and humbling challenge, but one that I cannot desist from."
He said he looked forward to working with both sides to "do our best to achieve President Obama's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security".He said he looked forward to working with both sides to "do our best to achieve President Obama's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security".
Mr Indyk, 62, who works at the Brookings Institution think tank, was Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs under former President Bill Clinton and played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000.Mr Indyk, 62, who works at the Brookings Institution think tank, was Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs under former President Bill Clinton and played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000.
"It's been my conviction for 40 years that peace is possible," Mr Indyk said on Monday, citing the ceasefire brokered during the 1973 Middle East war, which happened while he was a student in Jerusalem."It's been my conviction for 40 years that peace is possible," Mr Indyk said on Monday, citing the ceasefire brokered during the 1973 Middle East war, which happened while he was a student in Jerusalem.
Jen Psaki said Mr Kerry had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.Jen Psaki said Mr Kerry had called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.
They had agreed the talks would "serve as an opportunity to develop a procedural work plan for how the parties can proceed with the negotiations in the coming months", she added.
The Israeli delegation will be led by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, while chief negotiator Saeb Erekat will represent the Palestinian side.The Israeli delegation will be led by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, while chief negotiator Saeb Erekat will represent the Palestinian side.
Ms Psaki suggested the initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides.Ms Psaki suggested the initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides.
Major sticking points include the future of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees.Major sticking points include the future of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010.The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010.
Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Mr Kerry said in a statement: "Both leaders have demonstrated a willingness to make difficult decisions that have been instrumental in getting to this point. We are grateful for their leadership."
The BBC's Katy Watson in Washington says that in the five months that Mr Kerry has been secretary of state he has visited the region six times in an effort to restart talks, so his statement is seen as a big step forward.The BBC's Katy Watson in Washington says that in the five months that Mr Kerry has been secretary of state he has visited the region six times in an effort to restart talks, so his statement is seen as a big step forward.
However, these are talks about talks and although a welcome development it is still very early days, she adds.However, these are talks about talks and although a welcome development it is still very early days, she adds.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven.Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven.
Some 104 long-term prisoners will be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process.Some 104 long-term prisoners will be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process.
The identities of the prisoners have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers.The identities of the prisoners have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers.
Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Mr Netanyahu sought support for his proposal.Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Mr Netanyahu sought support for his proposal.
"This moment is not easy for me, is not easy for the cabinet ministers, and is not easy especially for the bereaved families, whose feelings I understand," he said shortly before the meeting. He said shortly before the meeting: "There are moments in which tough decisions must be made for the good of the nation and this is one of those moments."
"But there are moments in which tough decisions must be made for the good of the nation and this is one of those moments."
The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions.The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions.
Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such historic decisions.Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such historic decisions.