Abbas urges framework to Arab-Israeli conflict

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Thursday for laying down an international framework to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict on the lines of the agreement reached between Iran and the major world powers on its nuclear program.

Expanding the international sponsorship of the negotiations would crown them with success and the international community should think of laying down an international framework to settle the long-lasting Arab-Israeli conflict, Abbas told British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond.

He hoped that the international deal with Iran would bring peace, security and stability in the region and would be a first step on the road of freeing the region of nuclear weapons, including Israel.

He reiterated the Palestinians' commitment to achieving peace through negotiations to set up their independent state with Al Quds a its capital.

Hammond promised that his country will work more with the European group to resume peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis.