WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia on Friday bluntly rejected US appeals for improved relations with Israel as a way to help restart Middle East peace talks as its foreign minister accused the Jewish state of not being interested in a deal.
After talks with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said his country is not interested in taking steps suggested by US Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell until Israel accepts Arab demands to withdraw from all occupied Palestinian territories.
“Incrementalism and a step-by-step approach, has not and, we believe, will not lead to peace,” Saud said as Clinton looked on at a joint State Department news conference.
“Temporary security and confidence building measures will also not bring peace.”
“What is required is a comprehensive approach that defines the final outcome at the outset and launches into negotiations over final status issues,” the prince said, referring to the borders of a future Palestinian state, control of Jerusalem, the return of Palestinian refugees, water and security.
