Merkel meets Palestinian leader in bid to broker peace talks

German chancellor Angela Merkel is meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday in a bid to help find a peaceful solution to conflict with Israel.

The current situation in Palestinian Authority territories and plans for a lasting Middle East peace process are on the agenda.

Abbas is also set to meet German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in the afternoon.

The meeting follows talks between Merkel and Israeli President Shimon Peres last week. After those discussions, Merkel said that Germany wanted to make a contribution to helping make a two state solution a reality, with Palestinians having their own sovereign country.

Growing concerns expressed

Abbas, arriving in Germany after meeting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has expressed concern that a solution will be increasingly difficult.

The continued occupation of the West Bank, and the building of new Israeli settlements there, was leading to a "one state solution" he told Britain's Guardian newspaper at the weekend.

rc/dpa/AFP
Editor: Rob Turner