Abbas warns of legal action against Israeli settlements

PA Head Mahmoud Abbas warned Tuesday of legal and diplomatic action to stop Israeli settlement expansion.

Abbas's warning came after Israel freed 26 captives earlier in the day, as part of US-brokered talks.

Abbas warned the Palestinians would take action to halt any such construction in territories they expect to form part of their promised state.

"We will not remain patient as the settlement cancer spreads, especially in al-Quds ('Jerusalem'), and we will use our right as a UN observer state by taking political, diplomatic and legal action to stop it," he said.

"These actions show a lack of seriousness on the Israeli side in the negotiations and threaten to destroy the two-state solution."