Mid-East rivals seek joint stance

Talks between Abbas and Olmert were 'constructive'

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will begin work next week on a joint declaration ahead of the Middle East conference to be held in November.

This was announced after a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The meeting was seen as crucial to the success of the US-backed conference.

Correspondents say officials tried to sound as upbeat as possible, but major divisions remain between the two sides.

The Israelis are hoping for a broad declaration of principles, without committing to a timetable for final-status talks.

However, Palestinian officials want a framework and possibly a timetable for making decisions on some of the most sensitive issues in the conflict, including the final borders of a Palestinian state, the status of Jerusalem and the return of Palestinian refugees.

'Positive'

An Israeli spokesman said the discussions were constructive and took place in a very positive atmosphere, and that Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert had developed a good working relationship.

The Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, told a press conference he hoped the negotiations would ultimately lead to a two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation. There has already been at least one suggestion that the planned conference may have to be postponed.

The US is hoping to bring together the region's key players to work towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement.

The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has said the conference must address substantive issues and advance the cause of a Palestinian state.

The US has promoted a two-state solution, but the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been stalled for most of the Bush administration.