BBC News with Jonathan Izard

The American State Department has expressed disappointment at Israel's decision not to extend its moratorium on settlement construction. The administration's Middle East envoy George Mitchell is heading back to the region to hold meetings with Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he won't rush into a decision about whether to abandon the peace talks over the issue. Kim Ghattas reports from Washington.

President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will consult with Palestinian leaders and then Arab foreign ministers at a regional meeting on 4th October. PJ Crowley, the State Department spokesman, said the US was hoping the Arab League would continue to support the negotiations. Despite weeks of international pressure, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not extend the moratorium. There is no deal in sight. But President Abbas is also under pressure not to walk out, and he will not want to be blamed for the failure of the talks.