RIYAK, Lebanon (AP) — Britain’s top diplomat said Thursday that his country could officially recognize a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in Gaza without waiting for the outcome of what could be years-long talks between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, has publicly rejected the creation of an independent Palestinian state after the war, and has even boasted in recent weeks that he was instrumental to preventing Palestinian statehood. A move by some of Israel’s key allies to recognize a Palestinian state without Israel’s buy-in could isolate Israel and put pressure on it to come to the table. Hamas has so far taken the position that its leaders would not leave the enclave as part of a ceasefire deal. The plan would include Britain training Lebanese army forces to carry out more security work in the border region, he said.

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Persons: — Britain’s, David Cameron, “ can’t, ”, Cameron, ” Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Associated Press, Palestinian, United Nations, Hezbollah Locations: RIYAK, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, United, British, Britain, U.S, Palestinian, Hamas, Lebanese