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After Paris — a Moscow conference on Mideast peace?

Palestinians are now developing a follow-up strategy to the Paris II conference, and are hoping for a Moscow conference in the near future.
(First row From L) Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov, US Secretary of State John Kerry, French President Francois Hollande, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Marc Ayrault, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, State Secretary for European Affairs Harlem Desir pose for a family picture during the Mideast peace conference in Paris, France, January 15, 2017. REUTERS/Bertrand Guay/POOL     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSVNHB

There is a real sense of satisfaction among the Palestinian leadership about the outcome of the Paris Middle East peace conference that took place Jan. 15. Nevertheless, in their usual manner, Palestinian representatives complained that the Obama administration prevented clearer resolutions on permanent status issues.

That said, a senior PLO official close to President Mahmoud Abbas, who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, said outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry will be missed, given his honest ambition to advance Palestinian statehood.

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