Israeli peace initiative 'a positive step' - Abbas

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said today that a peace initiative proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was a “positive” step toward peacemaking.

Olmert told the Palestinians yesterday that he was prepared to grant them a state, release desperately needed funds and free prisoners if they choose the path of peace. He also said that Israel would pull out of West Bank land and uproot settlements under a peace deal with the Palestinians.