Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday he would focus on Israel's refusal to stop the building of settlements when he holds talks with US President Barack Obama later this week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed US calls on Sunday for a full settlement freeze and said he would not accept limits on construction within Jerusalem neighborhoods.

"We are aware of Mr. Netanyahu's positions and I'm not going to engage on this subject through the media. This is one of the main issues I'll take with me to Washington," Abbas told reporters after talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon.

"Regarding the settlements, there are several United Nations resolutions that prohibit the settlements and it's clear and precise in the roadmap - that the entire world supported - that Israel must stop all forms of settlement including natural growth," Abbas said.

Abbas, who is also to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper later this week before going to Washington for talks with US President Barrack Obama, declined to comment further on the issue. In the past he has ruled out restarting peace talks until Israel commits itself to the creation of a Palestinian state and halts expansion of its settlements.

"I really believe that we have a good opportunity to advance and make a comprehensive peace in the region. We don't need to reinvent the wheel," he said.

Abbas, speaking through an interpreter, said that regardless of what plan was used as a basis for such a deal, "the common denominator is to end the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 (and) to establish a Palestinian state that would live side by side in peace and security with the state of Israel."

The Canadian Cannon adopted a vaguer stance than Washington's when asked about the settlement issue, only saying development in these areas 'wasn't helpful to the advancement of peace.