PHONE CALL: Olmert, Abbas discuss meeting

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert called Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas yesterday and agreed that their officials would…

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert called Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas yesterday and agreed that their officials would continue talks to prepare for a meeting between them, Mr Olmert's office said.

The US has urged both sides to renew peace talks - recent efforts to arrange the summit have been deadlocked. During the call, Mr Olmert gave Mr Abbas his good wishes to mark the end of Ramadan, his office said.