US-mediated proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians have begun, chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat said Sunday.
Speaking after a meeting between PA President Mahmoud Abbas and US Mideast envoy George Mitchell, Erekat also said he expected the US to issue a statement later Sunday, giving its official position on the talks.
The Palestinian negotiator added that he hoped Israel would give the process a chance, rather than setting facts on the ground that will complicate the talks.
