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US envoy set for talks in Cairo US envoys set for Mid-East talks
(about 2 hours later)
The US Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, is due to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the stalled Middle East peace process. Senior US officials are in the Middle East as part of a drive to breathe new life into the faltering peace process.
He arrived in Cairo a day early at Mr Mubarak's request, following talks in Syria and Israel. US defence secretary Robert Gates is set to meet his Israeli counterpart, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, and then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In Tel Aviv, Mr Mitchell reassured Israeli officials of Washington's unshakeable commitment to its security. US envoy George Mitchell - arriving in Egypt from talks in Syria and Israel - will meet President Hosni Mubarak.
Relations had soured after US President Barack Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement on Palestinian land. Both the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the perceived threat posed by Iran are on the agenda for talks.
In Damascus, Mr Mitchell met Syrian President Bashar Assad for what he called "very candid and positive" discussions on restarting peace talks between Syria and Israel, which have been stalled since 2000. In Tel Aviv on Sunday, Mr Mitchell reassured Israeli officials of Washington's unshakeable commitment to its security.
Following talks with the Egyptian president, Mr Mitchell is due to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday. Relations have become strained since US President Barack Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement on Palestinian land.
Diplomatic pushDiplomatic push
The visits are part of a week-long high-level diplomatic push by Washington to re-start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians which have been frozen for six months. The visits are part of a week-long high-level diplomatic push by Washington to re-start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which have been frozen for six months.
US MID-EAST PEACE TEAM Special envoy to the Middle East George MitchellDefence Secretary Robert Gates National Security Advisor James JonesEnvoy to the Gulf states Dennis RossUS MID-EAST PEACE TEAM Special envoy to the Middle East George MitchellDefence Secretary Robert Gates National Security Advisor James JonesEnvoy to the Gulf states Dennis Ross
Palestinian leaders have refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until illegal settlement activity has stopped.Palestinian leaders have refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until illegal settlement activity has stopped.
Other senior US officials are also due to visit the region this week. Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions will be the focus of Mr Gates's talks with the Israelis, reports the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem.
US defence secretary Robert Gates, National Security Advisor James Jones and US envoy to the Gulf states, Dennis Ross, are due in the region for talks. Israel's government argues that until the perceived Iranian threat has been diminished there can be no Middle East peace. The Obama administration sympathises, but disagrees, our correspondent says.
Mr Gates will first meet his Israeli counterpart in Jerusalem before travelling to Jordan for discussions with King Abdullah. Meanwhile Mr Mitchell arrived a day early in Cairo, at Mr Mubarak's request.
Iran and its nuclear programme are expected to be on the agenda in talks with Israel. 'Candid' talks
Following talks with the Egyptian president, Mr Mitchell is due to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
In Damascus on Sunday, Mr Mitchell met Syrian President Bashar Assad for what he called "very candid and positive" discussions on restarting long-stalled peace talks between Syria and Israel.
Other senior US officials - National Security Adviser James Jones and the US envoy to the Gulf states, Dennis Ross - are also due to visit the region this week.
Mr Gates will follow his Israeli talks with a trip to Jordan for discussions with King Abdullah.
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