Netanyahu, Kerry discuss ways to resume talks with Palestinians

JERUSALEM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday morning held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, to discuss ways to resume the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Kerry, who is visiting the region for the second time in two weeks, is trying to set a stage to restart peace talks between both sides, after the negotiations came to a halt in 2010 over Israel's settlement construction in the West Bank.

"I think it's fair to say we have made some progress today," Kerry said during the meeting. "We're going to continue our work in the matter and see how we can really pull all of the pieces together and make some progress."

For his part, Netanyahu said he is "determined to resume the peace process with the Palestinians" as well as "making a serious effort to end the conflict once and for all."

"We welcome any initiative that you and others will bring forward in this regard," Netanyahu said.

"But it has to address a myriad of issues, foremost in our minds the questions of recognition and security," he added.

A diplomatic source familiar with the discussions told Xinhua that Israel is doubtful of the U.S. ability to bring the Palestinians back to the negotiation table anytime soon.

"Israel will not make grand gestures for the Palestinians to get them to resume the talks," the source said, adding "Kerry is very determined to break the diplomatic standstill, but the chances of that happening are slim."

Kerry held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday in a bid to revive the peace process. He also held talks Monday with Israeli President Shimon Peres.

After meeting Peres, Kerry said both parties need to believe that it is possible to achieve peace.

"The two-state solution is the best one available and the parameters for such an agreement already exist," he said.

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