The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tokyo

Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad has cancelled his attendance at Middle East peace talks this week in Tokyo due to domestic issues, a Japanese official said Monday.

Japan is hosting a one-day session on Wednesday with officials from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Syria, largely to discuss a Japanese initiative to boost the Palestinian economy by building an agro-industrial park.

Fayyad, originally due to attend, cancelled "due to domestic political uncertainties," a Japanese foreign ministry official said.

The Palestinian delegation will instead by headed by the planning minister, Samir Abdullah, who will meet with Gideon Ezra, Israel's environmental protection minister, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Salah Bashir.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was invited to participate but also said she could not attend.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura will meet separately with the three ministers before four-way talks. The officials are also expected to meet with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Japan wanted the meeting before it hosts next week's summit of the Group of Eight rich nations, where the Middle East is expected to be among the topics of discussion.

Japan has sought to expand its diplomatic strength by playing a greater role in the Middle East peace process.

Japan hosted its first Middle East peace meeting in March 2007 which included Israel's then deputy prime minister Shimon Peres, who is now the Jewish state's president.