JERUSALEM
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators met late Sunday in the absence of American special envoy Martin Indyk, according to the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth news side.
The meeting brought together chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat, Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu's special envoy Yitzhak Molcho, said the Israeli website.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Indyk is not taking part in the meeting, seen by many as the last chance to save the stalled peace talks between the two sides.
Livni sounded optimistic about reaching a deal with the Palestinians to extend peace talks beyond April 29, the deadline for the U.S-sponsored peace talks.
"I believe we're close enough to a decision on the part of both leaderships, encouraged by the Americans, to continue negotiations," Livni was quoted by the Israeli news site Ynet as saying.
Livni, who leads the Israeli negotiating team, insisted that "peace isn't a luxury. We need this. It's an Israeli need."
Prospects for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians appeared to crumble late last month after Israel refused to release 26 Palestinian prisoners despite earlier pledges to do so.
In retaliation, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas formally applied for Palestinian membership in 15 U.N. conventions.
Peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resumed in Washington last summer after a nearly three-year hiatus. They are scheduled to end on April 29.
By Anees Barghouthy
englishnews@aa.com.tr
