International coalition seeking Mideast peace considering next moves

Sunday, September 23rd 2007, 2:13 pm

By: News On 6

UNITED NATIONS (AP) _ The international coalition pushing for Middle East peace awaited an update Sunday from its envoy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and considered developments after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent trip to the region.

Representatives from the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia _ the diplomatic group known as the Quartet _ planned to meet amid uncertain prospects for President Bush's plan for a U.S.-sponsored peace conference later this year.

Rice's visit last week coincided with Israel's decision to declare the Gaza Strip, which the radical Hamas movement seized in June, as ``hostile territory.'' That designation dealt a potential blow to the coalition's efforts to bolster moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who now runs only the West Bank.

Israel on Sunday approved the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners in a goodwill gesture to Abbas. Palestinian officials reacted with disappointment, calling for larger steps at a time when the power struggle with Hamas and peace process are at critical points.

The U.N. meeting will set the stage for separate talks Monday involving Bush, Abbas and Blair, as well for as Rice's attempts to line up regional powers to attend the as-yet unscheduled and vaguely defined peace conference.

Most Arab states, including U.S. allies Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, have said they see no use for such a gathering unless it has clear goals and a realistic chance of meeting them. Before the Quartet session, Rice held separate meetings with the foreign ministers from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Rice insists the U.S. is not planning a simple ``photo op,'' but has met skepticism during conversations with Arab officials. She plans to return soon to the Middle East to lay more groundwork.

The Palestinians want the conference to produce an outline for a peace deal; the Israelis want more vague declarations.

The Quarter also is focusing on strengthening Palestinian institutions in preparation for eventual statehood. That job has been entrusted to Blair.