Mideast quartet wants talks resumed

The international diplomatic “quartet” of Mideast peacemakers called once again on Israel and the Palestinians to take steps to resume stalled peace talks.

At a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Friday, the top diplomats of the European Union, Russia, the UN and the US urged the parties to create conditions for restarting “meaningful” negotiations towards a twostate solution.

They were also joined by the foreign ministers of Egypt and France, whose countries have each proposed ideas to restart talks.

Meeting later at a hotel, Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they had agreed to look at ways to promote peace and stability in the region.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he “perceived a new dynamic developing” after meeting with Arab leaders and others involved in the peace effort.

Ayrault has been trying to rally support for France’s proposal to organise an international conference to present Israelis and Palestinians with a package of incentives if they reach a peace agreement.