Special report: Israel-Lebanon Conflicts   [Video][Gallery]

Special report: Israel, Lebanon agree on ceasefire

    JERUSALEM, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- While a permanent peace agreement with the Palestinians is inapplicable at this point, the alternative is to make a deal that would be implemented in stages, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was quoted by local daily Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday.

    The foreign minister stated on Sunday that, whatever this process may be called, the Road Map or any others, Israel must strive for a settlement with the Palestinians.

    According to Livni, "The Road Map was there all along. It's true that we have concentrated on the disengagement and the possibility of the realignment plan in the past, but the basis for all this is the Road Map. What matters, however, is not how the process is called, but the principles of this process -- that area phased deal with the Palestinians."

    "At the end of the process, I would like to see two states for the two nations, based on the principles of the Quartet and the international community," Livni explained.

    She stressed that "I don't want to see a terror state alongside Israel. This is one of our demands that is not negotiable."

    Livni is set to depart on Tuesday for a United States visit during which she will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other senior officials. The purpose is to reenergize the peace process with the Palestinians. The foreign minister is also expected to deliver a speech at the U.N. on the issue next week.

    Livni also commented on the possibility that Hamas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh be involved in such a diplomatic process. She said that their participation would depend on the group's adherence to the three conditions set by the international community and the Quartet - recognizing Israel, renouncing terror and acknowledging past agreements.

    Referring to the Syrian issue, Livni reiterated that "the current explosive barrel in the Middle East is the Palestinian issue, not the Syrian issue."

    Israel now have to focus its attention on the more relevant issues, namely the Road Map peace plan with the Palestinians, Livni concluded. Enditem