RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) - The Palestinian Authority welcomes a call by the Quartet of major players in the Middle East process for a freeze on all Israeli settlement activity, chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said on Friday.

MOSCOW (AFP) - Israel and the United States share a "strong and enduring" relationship despite recent tensions over planned new Jewish settlements, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday.

MOSCOW (AFP) - The Middle East Quartet on Friday said that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians should result in a settlement within 24 months, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.

MOSCOW (AFP) - The Middle East Quartet on Friday urged Israel to freeze all settlement activity and expressed deep concern about the situation in Gaza, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.

ATHENES (AFP) - An explosion early Friday targeted the Athens office of a neo-Nazi group, Chryssi Avghi, causing property damage, police said.