PLO: Israel 'must halt settlements'

Middle East peace talks can only resume if Israel stops Jewish settlers, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation has said.

Senior official Yasser Abed Rabbo made the announcement after a meeting of the body's executive committee in Ramallah.

He said in a statement: "The leadership confirms that the resumption of talks requires tangible steps, the first of them a freeze on settlements.

"The Palestinian leadership holds Israel responsible for obstructing the negotiations."