Canada Minister Holds 'Positive' Talks with Palestinians

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird held what he termed "positive" talks with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Saturday despite their differences.

Baird, on a four-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and foreign minister Riyad al-Malki.

The Canadian minister, whose country is a close ally of Israel and opposed the Palestinians' bid to raises their U.N. status, told reporters the talks were "very positive" even if differences were raised, without elaborating.

He pointed to progress in cooperation in the education and private sectors as well as efforts to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians.

Malki, at the same press conference, also played down differences and said Canada was helping "in several areas towards building our state, especially in the fields of justice and security."