RAMALLAH, Dec 14 (Saba) -- US Mideast Peace Envoy George Mitchell termed, in a joint press conference on Tuesday with Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat, his meeting with the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas as "fruitful," according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Mitchell added that "discussions were long and fruitful and we reviewed the circumstances that the political process underwent as well as the next steps." Further, Mitchell renewed the US administration's commitment to Washington's vision on the peace process to putting an end to the conflict between the two sides, and reaching a peace agreement that ensures security and dignity to the two peoples.

He also referred to the snags that the peace process hit, saying that they were anticipated in advance by the two sides, though he asserted the determination of the US administration on sustaining its efforts to come up with the result desired by all parties, namely a viable Palestinian statehood.

Additionally, Mitchell made clear that he will return soon to Middle East to continue discussions with various parties in order to fulfill the common goals in the few coming days.

Meanwhile, Erekat said that the US administration put forward some notions during meetings held in Washingtion and Ramallah, and that the Palestinian side responded with presenting its own stances based on the international legitimacy.

Erekat added, "we asserted the stance of the Palestinian leadership that adheres to the establishment of Palestinian state on the borders preceding the 5th of June, 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital as it is a territory occupied like other Palestinian territories and to which the resolution of UN Security Council applies." Erekat also held Israel fully responsible for derailing the peace process because of Tel Aviv's pursuit of settlement construction.

He also said that any talk about negotiations at any form requires the halting of settlement activities and that the international community should now focus on making Israel abides by putting brake on anything that may impose truths on the ground and invalidate the two-state solution.

Erekat also made clear that he conveyed a message from president Abbas to US State Secretary Hillary Clinton in which he focused on ousting the Jerusalemite member of parliament Mohammad Abu Tayr from his hometown and threatening others with the same measure.

Saba