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Recent developments are a major blow to the Muslim Brotherhood in the region. The 2nd revolution and the overthrow of MB in Egypt, the link and support of MB for Hamas leadership in Gaza, emir of Qatar abdicates throne to son Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi monarch King Abdullah regains upperhand in GCC states and downgrading foreign policy role of Erdogan in Turkey. May John Kerry take advantage of these developments in the difficult task mediating the IP peace talks.
Israeli, Palestinian delegations meet for resumption of talks over Iftar dinner
(JPost) – Israeli and Palestinian officials met on Monday in Washington to restart the peace process after a three year hiatus, with US Secretary of State John Kerry and newly-appointed US envoy to the Middle East process Martin Indyk looking on.
Israel’s chief negotiator, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s envoy Yitzhak Molcho met over an Iftar dinner at the US State Department with chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat and Fatah official Muhammad Shtayyeh.
As the sides came together in Washington on Monday Kerry met separately with each, starting with the Israelis, before all came together around the dinner table. Kerry and his delegation of four, including new envoy Indyk, were seated on one side of the table and their guests on the other side, with the two main negotiators Livni and Erekat seated side by side.
“We are after about four years of stagnation and in the past we negotiated but we reached a dead end. I hope there is a better understanding now that it is in the interest of both of our people to reach an agreement to end this conflict,” Livni said in an interview with Reuters Television in Washington ahead of the dinner.
She expressed gratitude to Kerry for his involvement in the talks, and said his “enthusiasm and determination to help both sides” helps a lot.
Palestinian prisoner release passes cabinet by wide 13-7 margin
Gulf News – Al Qaradawi role in Tamim’s Qatar sparks debate.
Read my recent diaries:
- Qatar Fail in Arab Spring and Loss to Saudi Diplomacy
- Obama Administration Backed Muslim Brotherhood
- MB Axis Egypt – Turkey – Qatar Faces Defeat
