Hague and president Abbas discuss peace process

British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated Monday that they are keen to work together for a stable and secure future in the Middle East. Palestinian President Abbas who is in a three-day-trip to the UK came together with the Foreign Secretary Hague in capital London. A statement was released from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in regards to the meeting between Hague and Abbas which noted, "They discussed progress on the Middle East Peace Process, as well as shared concerns for stability in Syria. They also reiterated their desire to work together for a stable and secure future." The statement also covered the words of the foreign secretary as saying, "During our meeting today I paid tribute to the courageous leadership he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have shown in agreeing to return to negotiations on the Middle East Peace Process." "President Abbas and I agreed on the urgency of achieving a negotiated peace, to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once and for all.  As US Secretary of State John Kerry has said, if we do not succeed now, we may not get another chance," underscored Hague. Hague reminded that he underlined to the President Abbas, the UK’s long-standing position that they support a negotiated agreement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair and agreed solution for refugees. "I reiterated our opposition to the building of settlements on occupied land. And I reiterated to President Abbas that Britain is ready to do all it can to support the Palestinians, Israelis and the United States to achieve this agreement and the lasting peace that the people of the region need and deserve," noted Hague. Withing the scope of his London talks, President Abbas will come together with British Prime Minister David Cameron, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union Catherine Ashton, Deputy Prime Minister of Britain Nick Clegg and the leader of the opposition Labour Party Ed Miliband on Tuesday.