Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he never told the Obama administration a settlement freeze would be renewed after Middle East peace talks resume this week, an official said on Monday. "We have not presented any proposal to the Americans on an extension of the freeze ... the government has not taken any decision on the issue," the official quoted the premier as saying.
Under American pressure, the Israeli government in November imposed a partial, 10 month moratorium on new construction in West Bank settlements.
"We have said the future of settlements will be taken up with other questions in discussions on a final accord," Netanyahu was quoted as saying.
