EU welcomes new Palestinian gov

September 15, 2006

Having committed 8,000 peacekeepers to Lebanon after last month's war between Israel and Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas, the EU is keen to revive Middle East peace negotiations to reduce tensions. It hopes the new government's platform will reflect the Quartet of Middle East peace brokers demands, but Washington isn't as hopeful. The U.S. has already said it sees no Palestinian policy change to justify lifting aid embargoes.