RAMALLAH, February 20, 2008 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday that "we will keep on talks with Israel for the hope of reaching a deal this year, including all final-status issues like Jerusalem."

He said he will resort to Arab countries to make a high decision if talks with Israel failed.

"If we reached a deadlock, we will go back to our Arab nations to make the suitable decision from the highest levels," President Abbas told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.