Washington was making efforts on Sunday to avoid the collapse of peace talks ahead of a settlement freeze deadline. Mahmoud Abbas the Palestinian Authority leader met U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell at a New York hotel before talks with other Arab leaders and then leaving the United States without any sign of a deal.
The U.S. administration also held talks with Israeli leaders, according to American officials. "We are doing everything we can to keep the parties in direct talks," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said. "We remain engaged with both sides," Crowley added later after Abbas had flown out.
On his part, Israeli minister, Gilad Erdan said Sunday he thinks PM Netanyahu will not extend the freeze beyond Sunday.
