Accept two-state solution, Palestinian leader urges Israel

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat Sunday urged Israeli President Shimon Peres to convince the Israeli government with a two-state solution.

"I heard some remarks by Peres that he supports the two-state solution, he should convince (Israeli) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the solution that entails creating a Palestinian state at the borders of 1967," Erekat told Xinhua on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Jordan.

Earlier in the day, Peres said in the forum that it is possible for Israelis and Palestinians to overcome differences and skepticism and move ahead to attain peace, adding "it is time for peace."

Erekat, however, said if Israel does not end its occupation, it is difficult to talk about the progress and the independence of the Palestinian state.

He added that the Palestinian National Authority supports the mission and efforts by the US that seek to revive the peace talks.