PLO official Says Renewing Direct Talks Still Subject to Conditions

Senior Fatah official Nabil Shaath told Ma'an on Sunday that a return to direct negotiations is subject to several conditions.

"We are waiting. Returning back to negotiations depends on two steps we asked the American side to agree on," Shaath said.

"If they agree, we will go to the next step which is preliminary negotiations in Washington to discuss the rules and the terms of direct negotiations."

"We will not go back to negotiations unless we get what we asked for," Shaath said, without providing further details.

Shaath added that the EU's recent position on Israeli settlements contributed to the return to negotiations and had a positive impact on the US position,.

President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly stressed that his demands of a freeze to Israeli settlement building on occupied land and release of prisoners held by Israel must be met before talks can resume.