It is 00:30 universal time. I'm Bob Calkan reporting the news from Washington.
The American State Department says a plan to restart direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians is almost complete. A State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said a deal is very, very close. He said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is holding talks with top officials by telephone. News agencies are reporting that the new plan could be released Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is ready to begin negotiations. However, he objects to any conditions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected talks unless several conditions are met. These included a stop to Israeli settlement activity in Palestinian territories.
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