ABBAS TALKS WITH SHABIR

POL-VATICAN-PALESTINE-PEACE
Peace in Mideast requires multilateral vision - Vatican

VATICAN CITY, Nov 18 (KUNA) The Vatican's underlined on Saturday that peace in the Middle East could be established through sealing international multilateral party agreements to secure a new vision that responds to the hopes of the sides concerned with the dilemma.

Speaking during a UN meeting to discuss peace in the Middle East, Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations said that peace in the Middle East should not be determined by bilateral conventions only but multilateral conventions are also needed.Migliore added during his intervention broadcast by the Vatican Radio today that the multilateral conventions which he brought out aim at satisfying the demands of all parties, including what concerns water, environment and trade.He drew attention that the Israeli-Palestinian is the core conflict behind the instability in the Middle East. (end) mn.mm,KUNA 182313 Nov 06NNNN

Palestine welcomes EU peace process initiativeSubmitted
by kashif on Fri, 2006-11-17 17:17. Muslim World News

Ramallah, Nov 17 (NNN-KUNA) The Palestinian Authority welcomed on Thursday the European Parliament's (EP) initiative which calls for holding an international peace conference on the Middle East.Palestinian's Presidential spokesman Nabil Aburudaineh told reporters they welcome international efforts to revive the Middle East peace process and the implementation of the road map.We have praised and welcomed many times the idea of an international peace conference, especially in these times when peace process has been frozen and needs an international effort to revive it, he said.Earlier Thursday, French President Jacques Chirac said France, Italy, and Spain have agreed to work on a joint proposal to try to resolve the Middle East conflict, an immediate ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinian, and deployment of international peace-keeping force in Gaza.The initiative is expected to be presented to the European Union leaders next month.

Abbas holds first meeting with prime minister hopefulThe Associated PressPublished: November 18, 2006

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday held his first meeting with Mohammed Shabir, the former university president expected to head an emerging unity government, an official in Abbas' office said.There were no details on how long the meeting lasted or what the men discussed. But it indicated progress in efforts by Abbas' Hamas movement and the rival Hamas party to form a unity government. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was closed.Fatah and Hamas are making a final push to form a coalition after months of negotiations, but still need to work out a division of Cabinet ministries. In a breakthrough, the parties agreed this week on the selection of Shabir as the next prime minister. However, the U.S.-educated microbiologist has not been formally nominated.