ISRAEL:Israel said yesterday it was interested in holding talks with moderate Arab states but stopped short of welcoming a renewed peace offer.
In Riyadh earlier, Arab leaders endorsed a five-year-old plan offering Israel normal ties with all Arab countries in return for its withdrawal from land seized in the 1967 Middle East war, the creation of a Palestinian state, and a "just solution" for Palestinians displaced in 1948 by Israel's creation.
A statement issued by Israel's foreign ministry said "direct dialogue" between Israel and the Palestinians was necessary and that moderate Arab states could fill a "positive role by encouraging regional co-operation, and supporting the Israel-Palestinian track".
The statement stopped short of welcoming the Arab initiative itself.
In contrast, the United States said it viewed the outcome of the Arab summit as "very positive".
Israeli officials said their reaction was cool because the final declaration of the Arab leaders did not address Israeli concerns.- (Reuters)
