Quartet to urge Israel to keep settlement freeze-draft

NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators will on Tuesday call on Israel to extend its settlement moratorium, saying the freeze has had a positive impact as the two sides seek a peace deal within the next year, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

"The Quartet noted that the commendable Israeli settlement moratorium instituted last November has had a positive impact and urged its continuation," said the statement, due to be issued by the Quartet, comprised of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. (Reporting by Andrew Quinn, editing by Todd Eastham)