Pa Ready To Extend Deadline For Talks With Israel: Fm

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is ready to extend the deadline for peace talks with Israel beyond April 29 if Israel displays "seriousness" regarding final-status issues, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Wednesday.



"The Palestinian side is complying with efforts by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to make progress in the peace process," al-Maliki told a jointpress conference with his Austrian counterpart,Sebastian Kurz.



He said that ongoingIsraeli settlement construction and assaults on Palestinians "do not show that Israel is serious about reaching a peace deal."



Kurz, for his part, reiterated his country's support for U.S. efforts aimed at reaching a peace deal based on a two-state formula.



He said his country viewed Israeli settlement activity as "illegitimate," going on to call on Hamas – which governs the Gaza Strip – to recognize Israel, renounce "violence" and join the peace process.



The PA and Israel reached an agreement last July on the release of 104 long-serving Palestinian prisoners as part of a deal to resume U.S.-brokered peace talks.



Israel released three batches of prisoners, but refused to release afourth group in March – despite earlier pledges to do so.



In retaliation, PA President Mahmoud Abbas formally applied for Palestinian membership in 15 U.N. agencies andconventions.



The developments came only a few weeks before the expiry ofan April 29 negotiation deadline for the U.S.-sponsored peace talks.



By Qais Abu Samra



englishnews@aa.com.tr - Ramallah