Former Israel PM urged Abbas to sign peace deal

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he urged the Palestinian president to immediately sign his blueprint for a peace deal, but Mahmoud Abbas demurred and the two never met again.

Updated on: Jan 27, 2011, 17:54:57 IST

AP | By HT Correspondent, Jerusalem

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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he urged the Palestinian president to immediately sign his blueprint for a peace deal, but Mahmoud Abbas demurred and the two never met again.

In excerpts from an upcoming book published in Yediot Ahronot daily today, Olmert says he told Abbas at their last meeting on September 16, 2008, to sign on.

Olmert said, "Take the pen and sign now. You will never receive a fairer or more equitable proposal."

According to Olmert's previously disclosed proposals, Israel would retain West Bank settlement blocs and Jewish neighbourhoods in east Jerusalem.

The Old City of Jerusalem and its environs would be under international administration.

The Palestinian state would be demilitarised and Israel would absorb a limited number of Palestinian refugees.

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