Israeli, Palestinian leaders hold talks

Israeli and Palestinians leaders have opened their most serious peace negotiations in seven years in Jerusalem.

They are the final status talks aimed at creating a Palestinian state.

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R), Palestinian  President Mahmoud Abbas (2nd R), chief Palestinian  negotiator and former prime minister Ahmed Qurie (2nd L), and Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (L) stand  together during their meeting in Jerusalem December 27,  2007,in this picture released by the Israeli Government  Press Office (GPO).(Moshe Milner/GPO/Handout/Reuters)

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie met for two hours in Jerusalem on Monday.

The negotiations included issues such as the sovereignty of Jerusalem, borders of a future Palestinian state, Jewish settlements and the fate of Palestinian refugees.

The two sides said such meetings were expected to continue regularly on a more-or-less weekly basis.

The Palestinians say a final agreement is achievable, and some Israeli politicians hope to reach a agreement within the year.

Saeb Erekat, Palestinian Negotiator, said, "I believe now it's time for decisions by leaders, more than negotiations. I believe the parameters are defined. I believe it's do-able. We know it's going to be a two-state solution and I hope that leaders on both sides will deliver the decisions required to make 2008 a year of peace."

Kolet Avital, Parliament Member, said, "I would urge the parties to do everything in their power to be able to, within a year, reach a good conclusion to these talks."

However, it is unclear how the two sides can reach a deal, let alone put it into effect.

Some Likud members say Prime Minister Ehoud Olmert does not have the required support to implement further withdrawals from occupied land.

And talks on issues like Jerusalem could put Olmert's governing coalition in jeopardy.

The right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party has threatened to quit.

And Hamas has dismissed talks on any statehood issues. They say such meetings provide coverage for the occupation in order for the Israelis to continue with their crimes against the Palestinian people.