Palestinian leader stresses talks, not "resistance"

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday negotiation was the only path to statehood, espousing non-violence after his Fatah party backed an option of "resistance" against Israeli occupation.

"We are peace seekers," the Western-backed leader said at a cabinet meeting in Ramallah of the Palestinian Authority.

"The main and the only path is the path of peace and negotiations. We don't have any other path and we do not wish to use any other path."

It was the cabinet's first meeting since the dominant Fatah movement which Abbas heads held a congress this month, at which he reasserted the Palestinian option of "resistance" against Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

He did not define resistance but gave examples of civil disobedience. He said terrorism was counter-productive.

http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSLH445907