Palestinian president says open to limited Israeli presence in West Bank after peace deal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Palestinian president says he would accept a limited Israeli presence in the West Bank after a future peace deal, hinting at a possible compromise in one of the thorniest issues of U.S.-mediated talks.
Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview broadcast to an Israeli security conference Tuesday that Israel could gradually withdraw from Palestinian territory over a period of up to three years. The Palestinians have previously balked at Israeli demands to remain in parts of the West Bank for at least a decade due to security concerns.
Abbas said a third party like NATO could take over security arrangements during the withdrawal time.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to return to the region in the coming weeks with a proposed "framework" for a final peace deal.