JERUSALEM, February 11, 2012 (WAFA) – Quartet representative Tony Blair said Saturday after meeting President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan that the Quartet is committed to credible Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

“Mr. Blair re-affirmed to President Abbas the commitment of the Quartet and the international community to the peace process and the need to launch credible and serious negotiations in order to reach the two-state solution,” said a statement issued by Blair’s office.

Blair briefed Abbas on the efforts of the Quartet, which is comprised of the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations, and a number of Arab countries “to provide an appropriate atmosphere for the launch of negotiations,” said the statement.

Efforts by Jordan to revive direct negotiations following five rounds of exploratory talks between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators hit a dead end late last month when Israel refused to submit proposals on borders and security as demanded by the September 23 Quartet statement.

The Palestinian Authority held Israel responsible for the failure of the talks and said it will ask for Arab advice on the next move in Sunday’s Arab League meeting in Cairo.

Blair also briefed Abbas on “the intensive talks and discussions he has had with the Israeli government on a range of issues” during his recent visits to the area.

Blair had asked Israel to make goodwill gestures to the Palestinians such as easing restrictions, removal of checkpoints and release of prisoners in order to keep them at the negotiating table, but the Palestinians had dismissed these ideas as requirements by Israel and not to stimulate negotiations.

Abbas briefed the Quartet representative on the Palestinian position and national reconciliation, said the statement, which described the discussion as “comprehensive and helpful.”

M.S.