JERUSALEM — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has called on the Obama administration to negotiate with Israel on his behalf.

Abbas has proposed that the United States negotiate the final borders of a Palestinian state, according to media reports citing an unnamed Abbas aide.

Such an arrangement could help Abbas save face, since he has declared that he will not return to the peace negotiating table until Israel stops all construction in West Bank settlements, including eastern Jerusalem.

The proposal comes as US Mid-East envoy George Mitchell was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday evening (January 20) in Israel in another bid to bring the sides to the negotiating table.

It is believed that Abbas made the proposal recently in meetings with Egyptian officials, who relayed the recommendation to US officials.

Mitchell will meet separately with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu this week. Abbas is expected to discuss the idea with Mitchell.

JTA