This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8169857.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
US envoys set for Mid-East talks US urges Iran reply by September
(about 1 hour later)
Senior US officials are in the Middle East as part of a drive to breathe new life into the faltering peace process. US defence secretary Robert Gates has urged Iran to respond to US diplomatic overtures by September.
US defence secretary Robert Gates is set to meet his Israeli counterpart, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, and then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak indicated that military action remained an option on Iran, following talks between the two in Jerusalem.
US envoy George Mitchell - arriving in Egypt from talks in Syria and Israel - will meet President Hosni Mubarak. Senior US officials are engaged in a drive to breathe new life into faltering regional peace moves.
Both the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the perceived threat posed by Iran are on the agenda. US envoy George Mitchell met Egypt's Hosni Mubarak for talks and will meet the Palestinian president later.
In Tel Aviv on Sunday, Mr Mitchell reassured Israeli officials of Washington's unshakeable commitment to its security. He has already been in Syria, drumming up regional support for the new US initiative.
Relations have become strained since US President Barack Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank. Both Mr Mitchell and Mr Gates - as well as two other senior US envoys - are meeting Israeli leaders as part of the bid to get the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which has been stalled for six months, back on track.
Diplomatic push US-Israeli relations have become strained since US President Barack Obama demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement building in the occupied West Bank.
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. Iran warned
US OFFICIALS' WEEK OF DIPLOMACY Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell (to Syria, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Bahrain)Defence Secretary Robert Gates (to Israel, Jordan)National Security Advisor James Jones (to Israel)Envoy to the Gulf states Dennis Ross (to Israel) class="" href="/2/hi/americas/3532247.stm">Profile: George Mitchell class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8127980.stm">Israel downplays settlement rift Shortly after coming to office in January, Mr Obama made an overture to Iran, saying that if it and countries like it were "willing to unclench their fists, they will find an extended hand from us".
Palestinian leaders have refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until settlement activity has stopped. US OFFICIALS' WEEK OF DIPLOMACY Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell (to Syria, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Bahrain)Defence Secretary Robert Gates (to Israel, Jordan)National Security Adviser James Jones (to Israel)Envoy to the Gulf states Dennis Ross (to Israel) class="" href="/2/hi/americas/3532247.stm">Profile: George Mitchell class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8127980.stm">Israel downplays settlement rift
All settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israel has settled more than 450,000 Jews in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. But Israel says Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions remain its number-one concern and in recent weeks the US has expressed dismay about Iran's suppression of protests over disputed presidential elections.
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. On Monday, Mr Gates said the US offer to Iran was "not open-ended", and added that President Obama was hoping for a response, "perhaps by the time of the UN General Assembly" in September.
Mr Barak cautioned that "no option" had been removed in its handling of Iran - suggesting military force remained a possibility - though "priority should be given still to diplomacy and sanctions".
The two men struck a conciliatory tone, with Mr Gates speaking of a "good meeting" with Mr Barak, and reaffirming the "strong commitment" of the US to Israel's security.
Mr Barak said he was "extremely thankful for US support [on defence] - financial and technological".
Despite the apparent harmony, the two sides do not see exactly eye to eye on Iran, the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem reported prior to the 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.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.
Meanwhile Mr Mitchell arrived a day early in Cairo, at Mr Mubarak's request. On forging an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, Mr Gates said it would "not be quick or easy" but was the only way to provide both sides with "the safety and security they deserve" and was in the interests of all countries in the region.
Palestinian obstacles
As Mr Gates met his Israeli allies, Mr Mitchell was in Cairo meeting President Hosni Mubarak - a day earlier than initially scheduled, apparently at Mr Mubarak's request.
Their meeting now comes ahead of Mr Mitchell's meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah - and the Egyptians seemingly have plenty to discuss, reports the BBC's Christian Fraser in Cairo.
They are currently brokering reconciliation talks between the deeply divided Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas.
Despite several rounds of talks, the two Palestinian factions are still at odds on the most divisive issues, the shape of a future unity government, the remit of the joint security force and the system that would be implemented for any upcoming elections.
Palestinian leaders have also refused to meet their Israeli counterparts until settlement activity ceases.
All settlements are illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israel has settled more than 450,000 Jews in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
'Candid' talks'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. As well as Mr Abbas, Mr Mitchell was due to meet 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.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.
He said President Obama was determined to reach a comprehensive peace between Israel and all its Arab neighbours in order to guarantee "stability, security and prosperity".
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.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.Mr Gates will follow his Israeli talks with a trip to Jordan for discussions with King Abdullah.


Are you in the region? Can the push for Middle East peace work? You can send us your views using the form below:Are you in the region? Can the push for Middle East peace work? You can send us your views using the form below:
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions