http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL09362595.htm



A diplomat involved in preparations for a gathering in Egypt said it would be held on May 18.

"The meeting would focus on how to help Israel and the Palestinians reach an agreement on final status by the end of 2008," he said.
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A meeting between Olmert and Abbas on Monday, their first in six weeks, "was bad and very tense", one Abbas aide said.

"The two sides have been talking regularly for months now and they still haven't started drafting. The gaps are wide, specifically on Jerusalem and refugees," he said.

"But the Americans are hopeful an agreement can be reached and tell us we still have eight months of talks before the end-of-the-year target date," the aide said. (Editing by Andrew Roche)