Middle East: Saudis reject U.S. calls to mend relations with Israel

Aljazeera.net - Saudi Arabia has dismissed calls by the US government to mend relations with Israel to help restart peace talks between the Israel and the Palestinians.

Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, said on Friday that Riyadh would not consider forging links with Israel until it agrees to withdraw from all occupied Palestinian territories.

"Incrementalism and a step-by-step approach, has not and, we believe, will not lead to peace," al-Faisal said on Friday, after holding talks with Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, in Washington.

"Temporary security and confidence building measures will also not bring peace."

Al-Faisal said that Israel must adhere to what is stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative, which has been endorsed by the 22-member Arab League, in order for it to have a constructive relationship with Saudi Arabia.

"What is required is a comprehensive approach that defines the final outcome at the outset and launches into negotiations over final status issues," he said.

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