Israel-Palestine peace conference of May 30 postponed, Hollande saysMay 17, 2016 - 18:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A conference on the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, due to be held on May 30 in Paris, has been postponed, French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday, May 17, according to AFP. "(U.S. Secretary of State) John Kerry cannot come on May 30 so it has been delayed. It will take place in the summer," he told French radio. Hollande said it was vital for France to take "a strong initiative" in the dispute. "If not... what will happen? Settlement building, attacks," he said. The original date for the conference falls on the U.S. Memorial Day holiday honoring members of the armed forces who died in combat, AFP says. "We're in discussions right now with the French about any possible alternative date that might better work for the secretary," State Department spokesman John Kirby said Monday, though he added that Kerry's agenda was currently "jammed". "We are going to work with all the actors, the big countries and neighboring nations, to create the parameters that will allow the Israelis and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table," Hollande said, according to AFP. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Twitter that Hollande's announcement of the delay was "further evidence of the failure of the (peace settlement) option and the project of (Palestinian president) Mahmud Abbas." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |