Holy Land Patriarch voices hope for peace

JERUSALEM (AP) -- The top Roman Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land says that he remains hopeful for Mideast peace, despite the current breakdown in negotiations.

In his annual pre-Christmas address in Jerusalem, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal told his followers not to give up. He noted that Palestinian firefighters helped Israel battle a massive forest fire earlier this month. He said it could mark the beginning of a "fruitful collaboration" between two sides.

Thke patriarch will lead Christmas services in the West Bank town of Bethlehem this weekend.

President Barack Obama launched direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians in September, saying he hoped to broker a peace accord within a year, but the negotiations broke down just three weeks later.