Japan to host Mideast peace talks

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TOKYO, Jul 1 (AFP): Japan is to host peace talks Wednesday involving ministers from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan in Tokyo's latest bid to expand its profile in the Middle East by helping the local economy.

The four-way talks will revolve around Japan's initiative to build an agro-industrial park in the West Bank to create badly needed jobs for Palestinians.

Japan wanted the meeting before it hosts the July 7-9 summit of the Group of Eight rich nations, where the Middle East is expected to be among the topics of discussion.

However, both Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni bowed out, saying domestic issues prevented them from taking the long flight to Tokyo.

The talks will instead involve senior Israeli and Palestinian cabinet ministers along with Jordanian Foreign Minister Salah Bashir and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura. The officials are due to meet Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.