Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Arab leaders gave the Palestinian Authority Thursday the green light for direct talks with Israel, a move that prompted the Israeli prime minister to say his country is ready for the face-to-face talks as well.
"In response to the decisions of the Arab League, PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that he is willing to commence direct and honest talks with the Palestinian Authority within the next few days," the Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement.
"Through direct negotiations it will become possible to quickly reach a peace agreement between the two nations".
The Arab League made it clear it is now up to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas whether to enter direct talks with Israel.
The Arab League decision comes after intense Western pressures and more than a year and a half of a stalled peace process.
Israel and the Palestinians have been meeting indirectly with George Mitchell, the Obama administration's point man for the Middle East, shuttling between the sides.
CNN
