Stockholm's move reflects growing international exasperation over the moribund Israeli- Palestinian peace process.

They will have the answer tomorrow, Palestinian peace negotiator Mr Saeb Erekat said.

Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erekat's response is somewhere in between.

Doha has ruled this out in the absence of an Israeli- Palestinian peace deal.

At the same time, fledgling U.S.-led Israeli- Palestinian peace efforts are at risk of collapse.

Mr Ban is visiting the region to try to restart long-stalled Israeli- Palestinian peace talks.

Israeli- Palestinian peace talks have not been held for 18 months.

Bill Clinton came close to achieving an Israeli- Palestinian peace deal in talks in 2000.

While in opposition, Kadima had blamed Netanyahu for the failure of Palestinian peace talks.

This, in turn, would deal a critical blow to any remaining Israeli- Palestinian peace prospects.

Presidential sources said he would discuss the Palestinian peace talks' with the new Egyptian leadership.

Discussions will focus on Iran's nuclear programme, high oil prices and the Israeli- Palestinian peace process.

The President wanted to get re-elected and that meant he needed an Israeli- Palestinian peace deal.

Israeli- Palestinian peace efforts are finally moving into high gear after 32 months of Intifada conflict.

The U.S. believes settlements endangered prospects for a two-state solution and Israeli- Palestinian peace, she said.

The talks also touched on the increasingly lawless Sinai region and the Israeli- Palestinian peace process.