Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia on Tuesday said he is pessimistic of reaching a final agreement on all permanent status issues with Israel by the end ofthe year.

Qureia was speaking to Fatah leaders in Ramallah about the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on the permanent status issue and also on the internal Palestinian situation.

He warned the Palestinians are passing through a very critical turn and the coming few months would be a real challenge for them.

The peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which started after Annapolis conference held in the United States in November, have not so far achieved any progress.

U.S. President George W. Bush had expressed his hope that the Israelis and the Palestinians would be able to reach an agreement on the permanent status issues before the end of his term in January.

"The situation on the ground is bad. Israel hasn't fulfilled its commitments it made during Annapolis conference, which are related to removing roadblocks and stopping settlements," said Qureia.

He added that "the contrary happened after Annapolis, Israel increased erecting roadblocks in the West Bank and increased plans to expand Jewish settlements, mainly in and around Jerusalem."

Although the United States is still optimistic, Qureia expressed pessimism that a final agreement on all permanent statusissues could be reached by the end of the year.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2008)