Arab League Chief Amr Moussa has declared that the Palestinians would not enter direct or indirect peace negotiations with Israel unless the regime halts plans to build 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem al-Quds.

Following an urgent meeting of Arab delegates in Cairo, Moussa said acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas had told him he would not take part in talks in the current circumstances.

"The Israeli measures must be stopped before any discussion on a resumption of talks, direct or indirect," between Israel and the Palestinians, the Arab League said in a statement.

"If the measures taken by the Israelis for the construction of hundreds of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem, are not halted immediately, the proposed talks would be useless," it added.

Arab League convened on Wednesday an emergency meeting after Israel announced a plan to build 1,600 new housing units in occupied east Jerusalem al-Quds.

The announcement coincided with the visit by US Vice President Joe Biden, who hailed the resumption of indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Biden, however, condemned Israel’s move, warning that the settlement expansion will undermine new talks.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon also attacked the Israeli move in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the settlements were illegal under international law.

(Press TV)