German chancellor Merkel talks with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas after Israel visit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by telephone days after saying she would push him to return to negotiations with Israel.

Neither leader indicated on Tuesday that they discussed a renewal of peace talks, but both voiced support for a two-state solution to the conflict.

Abbas thanked Germany for its economic support to Palestinian institution-building and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Wafa reported.

He also reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's commitment to achieve reconciliation with rival Hamas.

Last week, Merkel said after joint governmental meetings in Israel that she would tell Abbas to return to the negotiating table.

Abbas has rejected the Trump administration's still unannounced Mideast peace plan, saying the US is not an honest broker.

He has cited the administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and its decision to cut aid to the Palestinians.

American-mediated peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians last broke down in 2014.

The Trump administration has waged diplomatic war on Palestinians while staunchly backing Israel, cutting all funding to UNRWA and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Diplomats in the region say the Trump administration's current blueprint for a peace plan does not include East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, the right of return for refugees, or a freeze on new Israeli settlements.

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