Kerry: Progress in peace talks despite difficulties

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday that despite difficulties Israelis and Palestinians are facing, some progress were made in their peace talks. Kerry told reporters during a news conference in Ramallah following his second meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in less than 24 hours. "We are working with a serious purpose and a commitment to trying to resolve this conflict that has been going on for many years... We are not there yet, but we are making progress," he said. Kerry also said that he will go to Jordan on Sunday and then pay a previously unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia. During the press conference, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat denied that the United States has presented to the Palestinians any official written document of a framework agreement, adding "all what is presented is ideas that still under discussions between the two sides." "Nothing has been presented to us, we are still in the status of exchanging views and ideas," Erekat told reporters, adding " Kerry will return back to the region within the coming days to continue our discussions."