(VOVworld) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday that he was ready to extend peace talks with Israel after Tel Aviv suspended the talks with the Palestinians in response to a unity deal between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: RIA)

President Abbas affirmed his wish to extend the talks after the deadline on April 29^th on condition that Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, suspends the construction of new settlements in the West Bank and starts negotiation on future border lines of a Palestinian state. Mr. Abbas said Israel’s refusal to negotiate with a Palestinian government with Hamas faction showed that Tel Aviv did not follow its commitment of the two-state solution. The Palestinian leader affirmed that the new government, which will be established within 5 weeks, is an independent institution and excludes Hamas or Fatah politicians.