Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Thursday, March 21, 2013

Abbas, Obama speak to press

21 March 2013, 1:37 pm 0 Edit

The Obama-Abbas press conference is commencing.

Abbas mentions the Nakba, and says the Palestinians are giving an “exemplary model” of state-building despite their challenges. They want the “rights of independence, freedom and peace.”

Says Palestinians want a state in the 1967 lines, with its capital in Jerusalem.

Peacemaking requires “courage,” he says.

“Peace should not be made through violence, occupation, settlements, arrests, siege”, and the denial of the rights of refugees.

Then he says he welcomes Obama. He said talks were “good and useful.”