Text size:

  • Small
  • Normal
  • Large
  1. News
  2. World
  3. Middle East
  • Connect: facebook twitter Google Plus
  • Radio: Classic FM
  • Feed: rss

Abbas and Israel's Barak 'hold secret meeting in Amman'

JERUSALEM // The Palestinian president, Mahmud Abbas, and the Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, have met secretly in Amman ahead of Middle East peace talks that start in Washington this week, Israeli media reported today. The two met on Sunday in a private home in the Jordanian capital, where Barak also held talks with King Abdullah II. The Israeli defence ministry did not immediately confirm the reports. King Abdullah and Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak will join an inaugural meeting in Washington tomorrow between the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Mr Abbas, who are to launch direct talks the following day.

Thursday's talks will launch the first direct negotiations between the two sides since the Palestinians broke off talks in December 2008, after Israel launched a devastating offensive against the Gaza Strip. * AFP

Back to the top

More articles

Back to Middle East

Sound & Vision

Middle East

Poll

What do you use the most to stay in touch with friends and family?

EDITOR'S PICKS

America's hidden agenda in Syria's war

EDITORS NOTE: RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -- MANDATORY CREDIT

Exclusive: Influential Syrian rebel commander claims US intelligence officers are trying to enlist rebels to fight their fellow insurgents, the Al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Al Nusra, instead of helping them overthrow Bashar Al Assad. Phil Sands reports   America's hidden agenda in Syria's war

Egypt's pursuit of Mubarak's cronies falters

Egyptcronies

Egypt vowed to pursue men like Hussein Salem, the 'Father of Sharm El Sheikh', for riches gained under ousted premier Hosni Mubarak. But hard times may have blunted its zeal. Bradley Hope reports from Cairo  Egypt's pursuit of Mubarak's cronies falters

Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus

Members of the Free Syrian Army walk with their weapons in Al Izaa district in Aleppo February 16, 2013. REUTERS/Muzaffar Salman (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) *** Local Caption *** SYR09_SYRIA-CRISIS-_0216_11.JPG

Brotherhood opens direct contacts with opposition groups in Damascus, providing them with cash for the first time and promising political influence in an effort to gain their support. Phil Sands reports  Muslim Brotherhood opens direct link to rebels in Damascus

Regional violence batters Algerian tourism industry

Algerian tourists admire the view from atop a mud minaret in the old town of Beni Isguen on April 24, 2013. Tourism has been a significant source of income for the oasis towns around Ghardaia, but security concerns have led to a drop in visitor numbers this year. Photo: Lindsay Mackenzie for The National.

Wildly, naturally beautiful, with hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline, mountains that look like Swiss Alps and endless desert, Algeria was a drawcard for tourists to North Africa. But not anymore. Alice Fordham reports from Beni Isguen  Regional violence batters Algerian tourism industry

Cypriots draw on spirit of '74 to see them through euro crisis

Caption:Greek Cypriots refugees wait for their departure to the South of the island, under control of Greek Cypriots authorities, after Turkish authorities give the authorisation, Nicosia, on November 14, 1974. During Atilla II, second stage of Turkish operation on August 14, 1974, more than 30 per cent of the land (in the North) came under Turkish occupation, and in the process, many Greek Cypriots who made up 82 per cent of the population in the north became refugees behind the ceasefire line, called the

Cypriots rekindle courage from Turkish invasion, saying they have endured far worse than the current economic slump, even as harrowing tales emerge daily of poverty and hunger. Michael Theodoulou reports from Nicosia  Cypriots draw on spirit of '74 to see them through euro crisis

Back from Iraq, US veterans fight the effects of war

Ryan Charles, 24, served with an infantry division in Iraq for two years. He began experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder last year when he returned to the United States. Michael Falco for The National

Troops who have served in America's 'war on terror' suffer at historic levels from psychological wounds and brain injuries. Taimur Khan reports from New York  Back from Iraq, US veterans fight the effects of war

Blogs

Photography, a new item in my skill's portfolio

My Year At The National

Dressing Florence And The Machine

All Dressed Up

Traditions and lifestyle: Shehhuh tribe of the Northern Emirates

National View

Jumeirah Restaurant Week starts soon

Bites

IPL: A competition courted by controversies

Kit Bag

Sound & Vision

Video: Talking Shehhi – a dialect from RAK's mountain tribes

Video: Talking Shehhi – a dialect from RAK's mountain tribes(Video)

Full screen

Video: Tracing UAE families through genealogy

Video: tracing UAE families through genealogy(Video)

Full screen

In pictures: Swarovski studded tub

The Swarovski Crystal Saracen bath from Catchpole & Rye.(Photos)

Full screen

In pictures: Maldives a piece of heaven on earth

Maldives a piece of heaven on earth(Photos)

Full screen

In pictures: Sir Bu Nair Island

Sir Bu Nair Island in charge of Sharjah government. One of the UAE’s untouched, natural islands is to be partially developed under new plans by Sharjah to promote eco-tourism.(Photos)

Full screen

Events

To add your event to The National listings, click here

Topics

(What is this)

E-paper
e-paper

View the paper as it appeared in print

Register here

Download the iPad ereader

Here

App
e-paper

Keep up to date with the latest news on the move

Get your iPhone app here

Sections

The National Conversation

Sound & Vision

The Guide

Events

Online Features

My National

Do you have a story?

On the site:

Can't find what you are looking for? Try The National Topics