Palestinians Tel Aviv, April 22, SPA -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday politely turned down an offer by Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to serve as a go-between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking in a radio interview, Olmert said he preferred to maintain direct contacts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and not depend on an intermediary. «We don't need someone to come from afar in order for me and Abu Mazen to meet,» he said, referring to Abbas. Musharraf made the surprise offer Friday in an interview with the Arab satellite station Al-Arabiya. He told the Dubai-based station that he would even be willing to visit the Jewish state to help bring peace to the Middle East. Pakistan _ a key ally in the U.S.-led war againstterrorism _ has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/443215