Clinton extends peace talks invitation to Netanyahu and Abbas

US SECRETARY of State Hillary Clinton has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume direct talks in Washington on September 2.

The goal is to reach a peace deal within one year.

“There have been difficulties in the past, there will be difficulties ahead... I ask the parties to persevere, to keep moving forward even through difficult times and to continue working to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region,” Clinton said in a statement.