The Middle East peace process is unlikely...

Sergei Demidenko told RIA Novosti that the Arab-Israeli conflict was highly unlikely to be settled "either by 2020 or by 2030," as a solution has still to be found on three vital issues: the status of Jerusalem, refugee problem and Israeli settlement construction.

"I think the key issue on which no consensus is likely to be reached within the following decade is the status of Jerusalem," the Russian expert said.

"This problem is closely linked to domestic policies and public opinion both in the Palestinian National Authority and Israel," he went on. "And any government that will come into power either in the Palestinian National Authority or in Israel would never agree to cede Jerusalem or to divide it even under threat of being ousted."

The expert said that the "Middle East 2020: Is a Comprehensive Settlement Possible?" conference currently underway in the Jordanian city of Suweima might benefit the Middle East peace process as "any attempts to reach any kind

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