UN chief urges Israel to halt settlements

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has harshly criticized Israels continued settlement construction and urged it to submit detailed proposals in low-level border talks with the Palestinians.Ban met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday to persuade him not to walk away from the talks. Abbas said Israel didnt present encouraging offers so far, but that he would resume contacts if it does.The Palestinians say Israeli settlement building on occupied lands they want for a state is a key obstacle to resuming full-fledged negotiations. With Abbas by his side, Ban affirmed that all Israeli settlements are contrary to international law, and prejudice the outcome of a final peace deal.He urged Abbas not to let the current talks lose momentum.