The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Jerusalem

Israeli and Palestinian leaders were to meet on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to bridge differences and agree on a joint statement ahead of a peace meeting in the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas were to hold talks at the premier's Jerusalem residence for the latest in a series of one-on-one meetings in recent months. "Misters Abbas and Olmert will hold in Jerusalem this afternoon a last encounter before the Annapolis meeting," Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin told AFP. "The two will try once again today to work toward a joint declaration before this meeting." Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP that the two leaders "will review the work done by negotiating teams and try to bridge the gaps as differences on the concepts continue to divide the two parties."