A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, originally slated for Thursday, has been postponed, a Palestinian official confirmed on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was scheduled to be held in West Bank city of Jericho, was delayed, Abbas' media advisor Nabil Amr told reporters, citing difficulties that intercepted the preparations for the meeting.

Amr, however, did not elaborate on the reason behind the postponement.

Earlier in the day, Olmert's Office announced the postponement, saying that it came as a result of a Palestinian request.

According to Olmert's Office, the main divergence of the two sides was the Palestinian taxes, which were withheld by Israel.

Media reports quoted chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat as saying that Israel refused the Palestinian's request for the releasing of the taxes.

Other Palestinian officials said Israel was also unwilling to accept a Palestinian demand to revive the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on condition that it is extended to the West Bank.

Source: Xinhua