AMMAN, October 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that he doubted a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas would take place in the near future.
"Yesterday's terrorist attack and Israel's reaction to it does not increase optimism that this meeting will take place in the near future," he said.
Lavrov stressed the importance of dialogue and the road map for peace.
"Some people are set on continuing the tense relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, and extremist forces do not want to support dialogue," he said.
However, Lavrov said Abbas was ready to meet Sharon.
"Sharon also wants to continue dialogue with Mahmoud Abbas. [Israeli President] Moshe Katsav also considers Abbas to be a natural partner for talks," he said.
The minister said Russia would do whatever it could to ensure that "these contacts are renewed and terrorism is brought to an end."
