Israel, Palestinians to hold fresh talks

Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiation teams are to hold a new round of talks Tuesday, according to Israel Radio.

Without specifying the venue of the meeting, the radio quoted well-informed Israeli sources as saying that the new round of peace talks will be held between the chiefs of the two negotiations teams -- Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni, Xinhua reported.

The sources said the Tuesday's meeting will be a continuation to a meeting held Saturday in Jerusalem. The two teams refrained from giving press statements to reporters.

Palestinian sources closed to the negotiations said the two sides agreed to intensify their talks by holding at least two meetings every week. The understanding was made upon a US request in condition to be away from the mass media.

Earlier on Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a meeting with his Fatah Party's Revolutionary Council that he only agreed to resume the talks with Israel after he got the US guarantees.

He said the talks with Israel is still based on previewing the two sides stances and positions, with the Israeli side presenting its positions and the Palestinian side making its comments.