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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
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JERUSALEM (AFP-EJP)---Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert showed little enthusiasm over a proposal for an International Middle East conference in Moscow promoted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a visit in Israel this week.
Olmert told Lavrov on Thursday evening that there was no point in holding another Middle East conference., local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
He said the utility of such meeting needs to be examined first. "At this time, there is no reason for another conference," he was quoted as saying.
The Russian minister said he was discussing the proposed Moscow conference with all interested parties. After his meeting with Olmert, he was scheduled to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Friday.
The conference proposed by Moscow would constitute the continuation of the Annapolis peace conference hosted by the United States last November which helped resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Lavrov met on Wednesday in Damascus with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.
