Abbas: Hopes for a two-state solution 'beginning to erode'

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned Thursday that lack of progress towards peace was "beginning to erode" faith that a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was possible.

- I would like to express concern that the situation is very difficult. The hope for a two-state solution... I fear, is beginning to erode and the world is starting not to believe, to distrust, that we are able to reach this situation. Some of our people are saying 'We don't want a two-state solution, we want to live in a one state solution, to live in Israel,' but to most of the Palestinian people that is unacceptable - he said in remarks at a Washington think-tank.

The Palestinian leader's comments came a day after he met with President Barack Obama and warned him that progress was urgently needed in the region.

- Time is of the essence, that's his message, we need to see genuine movement in the direction of a two-state solution and ending the occupation - chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP Wednesday after the talks.

Obama sounded a note of optimism after the White House meeting, saying he believed "significant progress" towards peace was possible by the end of the year. His administration is sending US Middle East envoy George Mitchell back to the region next week, but it remained unclear what could be achieved in an atmosphere soured by a deadly May 31 Israeli raid on ships taking aid to Gaza.

Israel has defended the raid, which killed nine, saying the ships sought to break a blockade against Gaza that is necessary to keep weapons out of the territory, and that activists on board the boats attacked Israeli commandos. But the incident sparked international condemnation and calls for an independent inquiry and has drawn new scrutiny to the Israeli blockade on Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Abbas called on Israel Thursday to "take measures that express its desire for peace, its intention for peace."

- There are behaviors that the Israelis should desist from in order to present themselves in a positive way. The Arab people are not against peace and neither are the Islamic people - he said.

Abbas is due to hold more talks with senior US officials and lawmakers Thursday, including White House National Security Advisor James Jones. On Friday, he is to meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before returning to the region.