Abbas says Middle East peace agreement can be achieved within a year

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said here Wednesday that a Middle East peace agreement can be achieved within a year.

Speaking at a joint press conference with other four leaders involved in the direct peace talks, Abbas said now it is time to made peace and end Israeli occupation.

He also condemned the violence that killed four Israelis in the West Bank and urged Israel to stop settlement activities in the West Bank.

Abbas is scheduled to launch direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu here on Thursday, ending a 20-month hiatus of such contacts between the two sides.