Lieberman: US doesn't get it - peace efforts have no chance

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told AP there is no chance of ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for many years, in an interview published Thursday.

The comments to the international news agency came as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators sit down in Washington, Tel Aviv and Ramallah under American patronage and try to hammer out a deal that apparently includes Palestinians dropping the pursuit of war crimes investigations into Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in December and January.

Those who think a long-term agreement can be reached, Lieberman said, ‘just doesn’t understand the situation,’ AP paraphrased. He also suggested negotiators aim at establishing interim agreements rather than final status talks.

Lieberman spoke to the AP ahead of a meeting with special US envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, who arrived int he region Wednesday to push froward the peace process.

Source: Maan