This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23118403

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Work needed' on Mid-East talks - US secretary of state Mid-East talks 'within reach' - US secretary of state
(35 minutes later)
The US secretary of state says "real progress" has been made to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks but more work is needed. The US secretary of state has said final-status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians could be "within reach... with a little more work".
John Kerry told reporters that "positive" and "very important" discussions had taken place during the past few days. John Kerry extended his peace mission on Saturday, cancelling a scheduled trip to Abu Dhabi.
He spoke after the last of several days of meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli leader. For three days he has shuttled between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
But Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said there had been no breakthrough.But Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said there had been no breakthrough.
He said the latest meeting had been "positive and profound", but "there is still a gap between the Palestinian and Israeli positions", AFP news agency reported. He said the latest meeting had been "positive and profound", but "there is still a gap between the Palestinian and Israeli positions".
Economic incentive
"I'm pleased to tell you that we have made real progress on this trip," Mr Kerry told reporters in Tel Aviv, before leaving the region.
"And I believe that with a little more work, the start of final-status negotiations could be within reach. We started out with very wide gaps, and we have narrowed those considerably."
"We made progress in every sector," he went on to say.
He said he was reluctant to leave and was "leaving people behind" to continue to try to secure the basis for discussions.
Two decades of on-off negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) have failed to produce a permanent settlement, with the latest round of direct negotiations breaking down in 2010.
Mr Kerry is on his fifth visit to the region since taking office in February.
He is offering the Palestinians the incentive of a major investment plan, but it is dependent on progress towards a peace deal.