Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have agreed to a joint commission that would lay down the main guidelines to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both leaders reasserted their commitment to a solution based on two states: Israel and Palestine
The Israeli premier also said that he will work towards the release of Palestinian prisoners for Ramadan and ease movement in the West Bank.
Today’s meeting was designed to lay the ground for next week's planned visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. During the visit the parties should vet options for the upcoming fall peace Mideast conference convened by US President George W. Bush.