The Arab League has called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers for April 9 on the floundering US-brokered peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, its chief Nabil al-Arabi announced Wednesday.

The Arab League has called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers for April 9 on the floundering US-brokered peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians, its chief Nabil al-Arabi announced Wednesday.

The meeting will discuss Israel's refusal to release Palestinian prisoners, a key sticking point in the negotiations, Arabi told reporters.

Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas requested the meeting, Arabi said, adding it would "examine developments in the light of Israel's refusal to release a fourth tranche of prisoners and extend talks."

Late on Tuesday, Abbas said he had begun steps to join several UN agencies and ratify international treaties.