Quote: "Amr said Hamas was gradually coming round to meeting the international community's demands to recognize Israel and he hoped this would convince the West that Palestinians were really seeking lasting peace. "We hope that these countries will understand that this is the significance of the unity government," he said. Asked if Abbas's efforts to convince the Europeans were bringing results, Amr said: "Progress is not yet great. (But) more and more European countries -- Spain, France and Norway -- are normalizing relations with this government."

In other news, members of the Arab League have formed a contact group that will negotiate with Israel over the Arab peace initiative. Israeli President Ehud Olmert announced earlier in the month that Israel was willing to make contact with the Arab League in order to discuss the "peace offer". The group consists of just Egypt and Jordan, both of which already have peace agreements with Israel. But according to the Saudis, it seems the Arab League will be doing the talking and Israel the listening.

Quote: "Egypt and Jordan - which have had ties with Israel since 1979 and 1994 respectively - will try to initiate direct talks with Israel, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said. They will "call on the Israeli government and all Israelis to accept the Arab peace initiative and to take this chance to resume the direct and serious talks on all levels", he said at a news conference in Cairo.

Source Zee News, BBC