U.S., Russia agree to prepare for Syria peace talks without pre-conditions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters after five hours of political and security meetings in Washington that officials from the two countries will meet again by the end of the month to prepare for the Syria talks.

He said much of his meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry was devoted to Syria and both men agreed they needed to convene a so-called Geneva 2 conference "as soon as possible."

Asked whether this conference would in fact ever happen, Lavrov said that Russia already had won the agreement of its ally the Syrian government to send a delegation to Geneva without any preconditions.

Read more: U.S., Russia agree to prepare for Syria peace talks | Reuters

Palestinian politicians reject Kerry’s map for peace talks

Palestinian politicians rebuffed on Thursday a hard-fought blueprint for resumed talks with Israel thrashed out by US Secretary of State John Kerry in a blow to his marathon peace efforts.

A US official had warned that Kerry was unlikely to be able to announce any breakthrough on resuming direct peace negotiations with the Palestinians despite extending until Friday his sixth visit to the region in as many months.

The setback for the US plan came from the governing Revolutionary Council of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas’s own Fatah movement, which demanded changes.

The broader Palestine Liberation Organisation, which also includes leftwing factions less sympathetic towards a compromise, said it would meet later on Thursday to draw up a formal response to Kerry’s proposals.

Read more: Palestinian politicians reject Kerry’s map for peace talks - ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT - FRANCE 24

Middle East: Israelis must push leaders for peace, Obama says

U.S. President Barack Obama has called on Israel to reverse an "undertow of isolation" and for its citizens to demand change from their leaders in order to secure peace.

Obama stressed in a speech on Thursday to university students at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem that Israel must make peace with the Palestinians if it is to ensure its survival and long-term viability as a homeland for the Jewish people. But he said the will of the people to achieve peace should be made known to the Israeli leadership.

"That is where peace begins – not just in the plans of leaders, but in the hearts of people; not just in a carefully designed process, but in the daily connections that take place among those who live together in this land, and in this sacred city of Jerusalem.  "Speaking as a politician, I can promise you this: political leaders will not take risks if the people do not demand that they do. You must create the change that you want to see," Obama said.

Israelis must push leaders for peace, Obama says - World - CBC News