JERUSALEM Israels defense minister says a slowdown in West Bank settlement construction is unlikely to continue in its current form after it expires at the end of this month.
But Ehud Barak says he does not believe Israel will entirely cancel the 10-month curbs. Barak appeared to be leaving room for a compromise that might allow the Palestinians to continue the fragile direct negotiations that began in Washington last week.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he warned Netanyahu last week he will leave the talks if Israel doesnt extend the slowdown.
Barak noted that Israel had permitted limited construction in settlements during the slowdown and he expects some construction to continue after the Sept. 26 deadline.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. APs earlier story is below.
RAMALLAH, West Bank AP � Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he has warned Israels prime minister that hell quit peace talks unless Israel extends a curb on settlement construction.
Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched negotiations at a summit in Washington last week.
A 10-month freeze on settlement housing ends Sept. 26, and Netanyahu is under pressure from hardline allies to resume construction.
Netanyahu has not said what he will do. He told his Cabinet on Sunday that creative solutions are needed to make the talks succeed.
However, Abbas told PLO activists in Libya late Saturday that "if the freeze period is not extended by the end of the month, there will be no negotiations." Abbas says he made that clear to Netanyahu.
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