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US wants Mideast talks to start soon: Envoy
 [Al Arabiya Latest] The United States wants to see a swift resumption and quick conclusion of stalled Middle East peace negotiations, American envoy George Mitchell said on Tuesday as he held talks with Israeli leaders."We all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations," Mitchell said ahead of a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres on his latest trip to the region. "We're now engaged in serious discussions with our Israeli and Palestinian and regional partners to support these efforts," said Mitchell, who is due to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day. "Israelis and Palestinians have a responsibility to meet their obligations under the roadmap," he said, referring to the 2003 international plan for Middle East peace that called among others for Israel to halt settlements and Palestinians to stop violence. Mitchell also sought to play down tensions that have arisen between the allies in recent weeks as US President Barack Obama's administration repeatedly called on Netanyahu to publicly back the two-state solution and stop settlements. "I want to begin by stating again clearly and emphatically beyond any doubt that the United States' commitment to the security of Israel remains unshakeable," he said. Posted by: Fred 2009-06-10 |
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