WASHINGTON, July 30 (Reuters) - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators plan to continue talks toward a peace deal despite the announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he intends to step down, a Palestinian official said on Wednesday.

"We decided today that we are going to continue pursuing to reach an agreement before the end of the year," the negotiator, Saeb Erekat, told reporters after Israeli and Palestinian officials met U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Kristin Roberts)

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