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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called his decision not to run for re-election 'final,' blaming Israeli inaction in peace process.
 (AP)
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Last update - 19:28 19/11/2009
Abbas: Mideast peace deal won't happen with me
By Jack Khoury
Tags: Mahmoud Abbas, Israel news 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this week countered Israeli and American claims that a Middle East peace deal could be reached before the end of his term.

In an interview with Egyptian television on Wednesday, Abbas also denied that either side has been pleading with him persistently to remain in office against his declared plan not to run for presidency in the Palestinian Authority's next election.

"If [Israeli and U.S.] intentions are sincere, then I am still here and have been here for years - they could have reached a deal with me already," said Abbas. "If Israel is prepared to advance peace on the basis of prior agreements and in accordance with the outline laid out in the road map, then it can do so with any Palestinian leader that succeeds me."
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Abbas said he had made clear during talks with U.S. President Barack Obama that he did not see himself as likely to convince Israel to halt construction in West Bank settlements. "I told President Obama, if you can't halt [settlements] why could I?"

His decision to step down - viewed by many in the international community as a political tactic - was final, said Abbas. "There is nothing I can give to my people, so I should quit," he said. "My decision is clear: I will not run in any elections."

The Palestinian president said his decision stemmed both from personal reasons as well as the failure of the political process and Israel's "campaign" against the Goldstone Commission's damning report on the war in the Gaza Strip.

"The existing political situation and Israel's consistent refusal, particularly with regard to settlements and East Jerusalem, make my direction very clear," said Abbas. "There is nowhere to go."

Between 2000 and 2008 peace negotiations were completely stalled, said Abbas, adding that they resumed briefly under former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before crashing again. "And thus," he said, "Accusations that we are holding negotiations for the sake of negotiations are inaccurate.
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  1.   i could have told abbas that years ago when he began 12:10  |  vhardman 19/11/09
  2.   Abbas: The End 12:20  |  Clarity 19/11/09
  3.   Good riddance 13:12  |  Serge 19/11/09
  4.   Good riddance Abbas 13:43  |  Alice 19/11/09
  5.   Shift the responsibility , as usual 14:06  |  Mark from Georgia 19/11/09
  6.   IF Abbas refuses to negotitate what does he expect? 14:21  |  PETER SM 19/11/09
  7.   To all those who chortle so gleefully as they... 15:06  |  HPL 19/11/09
  8.   In order for peace to happen 15:06  |  Mark from Georgia 19/11/09
  9.   Re: Mark from Georgia 15:51  |  Apa 19/11/09
  10.   I Remember A Trip To Israel When Abbas Was A Rising Star... 16:09  |  Eli 19/11/09
  11.   Mark from Georgia has it backwards... 16:24  |  Silvienne 19/11/09
  12.   To Silviene - This Chicken or Egg Game Can Be Played 16:49  |  Eli 19/11/09
  13.   Fundamental question ignored - Can Fatah & Hamas ever coexist? 17:34  |  common sense 19/11/09
  14.   You need to want peace...you cannot be afraid 17:35  |  Arnold 19/11/09
  15.   #12, Eli... 17:44  |  Silvienne 19/11/09
  16.   Abbas is right ! 17:52  |  Fred 19/11/09
  17.   Silvienne He Can If He Stops Preconditions and Makes A Deal 18:05  |  Eli 19/11/09
  18.   Obama`s and Abbas` mistake 18:19  |  Johnny 19/11/09
  19.   "I won`t be a candidate for the next elections..." 18:20  |  Ehud 19/11/09
  20.   Silvienne 18:21  |  Serge 19/11/09
  21.   #17, Eli... 18:48  |  Silvienne 19/11/09
  22.   Silvienne - Suicide Bombers Have Stopped in West Bank Because of 19:26  |  Eli 19/11/09
  23.   #22, Eli... 20:52  |  Silvienne 19/11/09
  24.   Abbas 00:21  |  An Objective Observe 20/11/09
  25.   Silvienne 02:58  |  Malone 20/11/09
  26.   Silvienne 03:08  |  Malone 20/11/09
  27.   #20, Serge... 19:48  |  Silvienne 20/11/09
  28.   Silvienne 18:09  |  Michael.B 25/11/09
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