Trump expresses optimism in meeting Palestinians' Abbas at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) - UPDATE: President Donald Trump is expressing optimism for resumed peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel.

He made the comment at the start of his Oval Office meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Trump says "hopefully something terrific can come out between the Palestinians and Israel" and that "we've been working on that one a long time." Trump says "maybe we can end that journey and start a much better journey."

It's the first direct meeting between Trump and Abbas.

President Donald Trump will press Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday to end payments to families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails, according to U.S. officials, one of several actions Washington believes could lead to resumed peace talks with Israel.