November 24, 2008	Monday	Ziqa'ad 25, 1429

RAMALLAH, Nov 23: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hit out at US-backed Middle East peace talks on Sunday on the eve of a White House meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President George W. Bush, saying that not one issue had been resolved.

He also pledged to call snap presidential and parliamentary elections next year if there was no agreement with the Hamas movement to end the rift in Palestinian ranks.

“So far we have not reached agreement on a single question – every issue remains up for discussion,” Mr Abbas told a key decision-making body of the PLO under whose auspices the year-old negotiations with Israel were being held.

“Even if (US Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice or someone speaking in her name says, even if Tzipi Livni or someone speaking in her name says that there are agreements being prepared, it’s not true,” he told the PLO Central Council.—AFP