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/8335211.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Clinton urges new Mid-East talks Clinton urges new Mid-East talks
(40 minutes later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged the Israelis and Palestinians to restart talks "as soon as possible".US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged the Israelis and Palestinians to restart talks "as soon as possible".
She was speaking after arriving in Jerusalem to meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, in a new US drive to restart the region's peace process. She was speaking after meeting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, in a new US drive to restart the region's peace process.
Palestinians say Israel must freeze settlement building in the occupied territories before talks can resume. Palestinians said Israel must freeze settlement building in the occupied territories before talks can resume.
But Mr Netanyahu said this was a "pretext and an obstacle" to prevent the renewal of negotiations.But Mr Netanyahu said this was a "pretext and an obstacle" to prevent the renewal of negotiations.
At Saturday night's news conference with America's top diplomat, the Israeli premier said the talks should start "right away". At Saturday night's news conference with America's top diplomat, the Israeli premier called for the talks to restart "immediately".
He said the Palestinians had never before put forward a precondition for peace talks linked to the settlements issue.
ANALYSIS By Jeremy Bowen, Middle East editor Making peace in the Middle East is a top foreign policy priority for President Obama, but in his first nine months in office he has had a crash course in the reasons why every attempt to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians has failed.ANALYSIS By Jeremy Bowen, Middle East editor Making peace in the Middle East is a top foreign policy priority for President Obama, but in his first nine months in office he has had a crash course in the reasons why every attempt to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians has failed.
So far the Obama administration's Middle East peace initiative hasn't even managed to get the two sides around a table. More than that, attempts by President Abbas to co-operate with the Americans have damaged him at home.So far the Obama administration's Middle East peace initiative hasn't even managed to get the two sides around a table. More than that, attempts by President Abbas to co-operate with the Americans have damaged him at home.
The rising tension has led to violence between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem. No-one expected it to be quick or easy for President Obama in the Middle East. But he needs diplomatic progress, because the absence of hope in the region tends to lead to bloodshed.The rising tension has led to violence between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem. No-one expected it to be quick or easy for President Obama in the Middle East. But he needs diplomatic progress, because the absence of hope in the region tends to lead to bloodshed.
Earlier in day, Mrs Clinton met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Abu Dhabi. Mrs Clinton agreed, adding: "What the prime minister [Netanyahu] has offered in specifics on restraints on a policy of settlements... is unprecedented in the context of prior to negotiations."
"I want to see both sides begin as soon as possible in negotiations," she said.
Earlier in day, Mrs Clinton met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Abu Dhabi.
Those talks were described as "frank and difficult" by chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat.Those talks were described as "frank and difficult" by chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat.
Mr Abbas told journalists later: "Israel should honour its obligations especially with regards to the total halt on the settlements," AFP news agency reported.Mr Abbas told journalists later: "Israel should honour its obligations especially with regards to the total halt on the settlements," AFP news agency reported.
The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says it is now a question of what pressure can be applied to the Israelis. When Mr Netanyahu took office seven months ago, the Obama administration called on Israel to halt all settlement building.
But, he says, that has been the question all along and on the issue of settlements, quite simply the Obama administration blinked first. But following Israeli objections, Washington said the most important thing was to get the negotiations going again.
The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says that on the issue of settlements, quite simply the Obama administration blinked first.
The Palestinian refusal to acquiesce in this means the chances are slimmer than ever that these talks about talks can be turned into substantive negotiations, he adds.The Palestinian refusal to acquiesce in this means the chances are slimmer than ever that these talks about talks can be turned into substantive negotiations, he adds.
'High priority''High priority'
Mrs Clinton's Middle East trip comes 10 days after she reported back to President Barack Obama on the peace process, suggesting it was too early to launch fully-fledged talks.Mrs Clinton's Middle East trip comes 10 days after she reported back to President Barack Obama on the peace process, suggesting it was too early to launch fully-fledged talks.
BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Mrs Clinton, says these talks appear designed mostly to make sure things at least don't slide backwards. Hillary Clinton urged peace talks towards a two-state solution
BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Mrs Clinton, says these talks appear designed mostly to make sure things at least do not slide backwards.
Visits by the Middle East special envoy George Mitchell have so far failed to produce any tangible action by either side.Visits by the Middle East special envoy George Mitchell have so far failed to produce any tangible action by either side.
Speaking to the BBC, Mrs Clinton said a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians was key. Speaking to the BBC earlier, Mrs Clinton said a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians was key.
"This is a high priority for not only our administration but for much of the world. It is one of the most common questions that I am asked," Mrs Clinton said. She said: "The fact that I'm in the region... reinforces the seriousness with which we are approaching our desire to get the parties to begin a serious negotiation that can lead to a two-state solution."
"The fact that I'm in the region... reinforces the seriousness with which we are approaching our desire to get the parties to begin a serious negotiation that can lead to a two-state solution."