Airport talks still stuck

PLO Executive Committee member Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) met with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordachai in Gaza and discussed the outstanding issues of Gaza International Airport.

Abu Mazen was joined with chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat and Colonel Mohammed Dahlan, chief of Palestinian Preventive Security in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources said the agreement is almost finished and that the airport is ready for operation but is waiting for the final signing of the protocol after Israel recedes part of its security and administration demands.

Mordachai, who was joined with deputy chief of staff Major General Shaul Mofaz and two other senior officers in the army, told reporters afterwards that the Palestinians understand Israel's security demands and that both sides are now discussing the wordings of the protocol in a way that would meet the needs of both sides. Mordachai said further meetings are expected next week.