RAMALLAH, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat expressed his hopes on Sunday that the Israeli coalition would help in resuming the peace talks.

   "We hope that the coalition would lead to the resumption of meaningful peace process," Erekat told reporters.

   "We welcome the decision of the Labor party to join the coalition with the Likud party and we hope that this would lead to the resumption of the peace process and the end of the aggression against the Palestinians," added Erekat.

   However, he stressed that whatever the type of Israeli government is "won't interest us. What interests us is to have an Israeli peace partner that would be able to implement the agreements and the roadmap peace plan."

   "We need the resumption of meaningful peace process that will lead to ending the occupation and achieving the idea of two states, Israel and Palestine," said Erekat.

   Israel's ruling Likud and the opposition Labor struck a deal Friday which will enable the Labor Party to join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's ruling coalition.  Enditem