This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7114396.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
New Mid-East peace drive launched New Mid-East peace drive launched
(30 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said the Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to make every effort to reach a peace agreement before the end of 2008.US President George W Bush has said the Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to make every effort to reach a peace agreement before the end of 2008.
Opening a Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, he said formal negotiations to create a Palestinian state would begin next month.Opening a Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, he said formal negotiations to create a Palestinian state would begin next month.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the talks must include all final status issues.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the talks must include all final status issues.
He said East Jerusalem should be the capital of a Palestinian state. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said Israel was prepared to compromise for peace.
He also called for an end to the occupation of Palestinian lands seized in 1967 and a halt to the expansion of Jewish settlements in disputed lands. He said the "time has come" and that "we want peace".
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is also at Annapolis as are senior Syrian and Saudi Arabian delegates. He said: "It is time to end the boycott and alienation toward the state of Israel," and that he had come to Annapolis despite the obstacles posed by continuing violence against the people of Israel.
Mr Abbas, speaking moments earlier, said negotiations should lead to an end to Jewish settlement activity in disputed land; an end to checkpoints and roadblocks against Palestinians; and establish East Jerusalem as the capital of the new Palestinian state.
Low expectationsLow expectations
Mr Bush said he wanted to find a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before he leaves office in early 2009. Opening the conference, Mr Bush said he wanted to find a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before he leaves office in early 2009.
In a speech to the diplomats and representatives from more than 40 countries and international organisations, Mr Bush said the goal of creating a Palestinian state to co-exist in peace alongside Israel would not be easy.In a speech to the diplomats and representatives from more than 40 countries and international organisations, Mr Bush said the goal of creating a Palestinian state to co-exist in peace alongside Israel would not be easy.
ANNAPOLIS SCHEDULE 1400 GMT (0900 Washington time): Arrivals1440-1530 GMT: Closed meeting between Bush, Olmert and Abbas1600 GMT: Speeches by all three leaders1700 GMT: Three sessions on international support, economic and institutional development and regional peace 0030 GMT: End of meeting press conferenceANNAPOLIS SCHEDULE 1400 GMT (0900 Washington time): Arrivals1440-1530 GMT: Closed meeting between Bush, Olmert and Abbas1600 GMT: Speeches by all three leaders1700 GMT: Three sessions on international support, economic and institutional development and regional peace 0030 GMT: End of meeting press conference
"Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead lives of freedom, purpose and dignity," Mr Bush said."Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead lives of freedom, purpose and dignity," Mr Bush said.
"And such a state will help provide Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to live in peace with their neighbours.""And such a state will help provide Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to live in peace with their neighbours."
He said the first formal negotiating session would begin next month. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad are also at the talks.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as well as Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad are in attendance.
Their presence is regarded as vital, but expectations of any substantial progress at the meetings at the naval academy in Annapolis remain low.Their presence is regarded as vital, but expectations of any substantial progress at the meetings at the naval academy in Annapolis remain low.
In Ramallah, Palestinians protested against the Annapolis conference
The Bush administration hopes that the meeting will act a catalyst for the first Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in seven years - a programme of meetings over the next year or so which will lead to a Palestinian state.The Bush administration hopes that the meeting will act a catalyst for the first Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in seven years - a programme of meetings over the next year or so which will lead to a Palestinian state.
Before arriving in Annapolis, Prince Saud was quoted by Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat newspaper as saying that the Bush administration had promised the negotiations would be completed within a year.
Observers say the fact that the summit is being hosted by the US and has attracted the participation of Saudi Arabia and Syria, two Arab states that do not recognise Israel, is critical to chances for success.Observers say the fact that the summit is being hosted by the US and has attracted the participation of Saudi Arabia and Syria, two Arab states that do not recognise Israel, is critical to chances for success.
Wider tensionsWider tensions
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Washington says there are a number of issues that could scupper any chances of a deal - in particular the absence of Palestinian faction Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU and Israel.BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Washington says there are a number of issues that could scupper any chances of a deal - in particular the absence of Palestinian faction Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU and Israel.
Hamas is not attending the Annapolis talks Q&A: Annapolis Possibilities of Annapolis In Ramallah, Palestinians protested against the conference Q&A: Annapolis Possibilities of Annapolis
Hamas controls the internal affairs of the Gaza Strip and says it will not be bound by anything decided in Annapolis.Hamas controls the internal affairs of the Gaza Strip and says it will not be bound by anything decided in Annapolis.
In Gaza on Tuesday thousands of people joined a rally protesting against the talks, many of them chanting "Abbas is a traitor" and "We will not recognise Israel".In Gaza on Tuesday thousands of people joined a rally protesting against the talks, many of them chanting "Abbas is a traitor" and "We will not recognise Israel".
In the West Bank, one person was killed in a protest against the conference. In the West Bank, Palestinian security forces broke up several protests against the Annapolis gathering, including one in the town of Ramallah. One man was killed in Hebron, Palestinian medical officials said.
Palestinian security forces broke up several protests against the Annapolis gathering, including one in the town of Ramallah. One man was killed in Hebron, Palestinian medical officials said.
There was a further large protest in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
In Jerusalem, Israelis had gathered at the Western Wall on Monday to protest against the conference, with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu labelling the meeting "a continuation of one-sided concessions".In Jerusalem, Israelis had gathered at the Western Wall on Monday to protest against the conference, with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu labelling the meeting "a continuation of one-sided concessions".
The wider tensions in the Middle East are also a concern, with many fearing that problems with Iraq, Iran and Lebanon could derail any peace process, our correspondent says.The wider tensions in the Middle East are also a concern, with many fearing that problems with Iraq, Iran and Lebanon could derail any peace process, our correspondent says.
KEY ISSUES Jerusalem Water Refugees Borders and settlements History of failed talksKEY ISSUES Jerusalem Water Refugees Borders and settlements History of failed talks
The Annapolis talks also involve members of the Middle East Quartet, UN Security Council and G8 industrialised nations.The Annapolis talks also involve members of the Middle East Quartet, UN Security Council and G8 industrialised nations.
Our correspondent says that both Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert believe they are not going to get a better chance to forge a peace, in part because of their own political weakness and in part because of the way the Middle East is changing.Our correspondent says that both Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert believe they are not going to get a better chance to forge a peace, in part because of their own political weakness and in part because of the way the Middle East is changing.
On Monday, Mr Olmert told reporters: "This time it's different because we are going to have lots of participants in what I hope will launch a serious process of negotiations between us and the Palestinians."
Mr Abbas said: "We have a great deal of hope that this conference will produce... expanded negotiations over all permanent-status issues that would lead to a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian people."