Updated

Israel's chief peace negotiator is welcoming the Arab League's decision to sweeten a decade-old initiative offering comprehensive peace with Israel.

The Arab League's original 2002 peace initiative offered regionwide peace with Israel in exchange for a withdrawal from all territories captured in the 1967 Mideast War to make way for an independent Palestinian state.

Under Monday's decision, announced in Washington at talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Arabs said they would accept small modifications to the 1967 lines, as long as they are agreed upon in talks with the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes a pullback to the 1967 lines, had no immediate comment.

But his chief negotiator, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, on Tuesday called the Arab gesture "good news that should be welcomed."