Indirect negotiations are not likely to create significant changes or advancements in the peace process, Fatah official and presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh said on Sunday.

Blaming "Israeli stubbornness and insistence to continue building in settlements," Abu Rudaineh cast a pessimistic shadow over indirect negotiations scheduled to resume on Monday as US Middle East envoy George Mitchell returns to the region.

“No doubt settlement activity is an impediment to both direct and indirect talks and it does not create appropriate atmosphere for successful negotiations,” the official told Ma'an.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian leadership has continued to coordinate with Arab countries over the talks, Abu Rudaineh explained, saying officials hoped to use the four-month window for talks to simultaneously crystallize a united Arab stance on an acceptable final status stance. Regardless of the success or failure of the talks, Abu Rudaineh said, a united Arab front will be sure to back the next Palestinian move.

Talks about the parameters of a united stance started during the Arab League Summit in Libya, Abu Rudaineh said, noting discussion of the issue would continue at the next UN General Assembly, and Arab League committee sessions, which will coincide with the end of the four months for talks. The official said talks would also be held with the US administration in light of the outcome.