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Rice flies in for Mid-East talks Rice in West Bank for peace talks
(about 8 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet Palestinian and Israeli leaders as part of a new effort to broker a Middle East peace agreement. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in the Middle East for talks with the Palestinian and Israeli leaders as part of a new effort to broker peace.
Ms Rice will meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Jericho, before travelling to Jerusalem for talks with Israel PM Ehud Olmert. Ms Rice met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Jericho. Later she will travel to Jerusalem for talks with Israel PM Ehud Olmert.
Talks are likely to focus on expanding a ceasefire deal declared by militants in the Gaza Strip. Talks are likely to focus on expanding a ceasefire declared by militants in Gaza and welcomed by Israel.
The US said it wanted both sides to do more to ease the security situation.The US said it wanted both sides to do more to ease the security situation.
Ms Rice will meet Mr Abbas after accompanying US President George W Bush to talks in Amman, Jordan, with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Ms Rice has been accompanying US President George W Bush in talks in Amman, Jordan, with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Security needsSecurity needs
Among proposals likely to be discussed in Jericho and Jerusalem are a possible extension of the Palestinian militants' ceasefire into the West Bank. The BBC's Matthew Price in Jericho said Condoleezza Rice's convoy sped in across the border from Jordan for what is a quick and hastily arranged stop-off on her Middle East trip.
Palestinians want Israel to end arrest raids in the West Bank to encourage militants to agree to a ceasefire, correspondents say. Ms Rice will be thanking the Palestinian leader for the key role he played in securing the militant ceasefire, our correspondent says.
But she will also press him to redouble his efforts to form a new Palestinian government that accepts Israel's right to exist.
In Jerusalem, sources say Ms Rice is likely to ask the Israelis do what they can to ease the restrictions imposed on Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Mr Olmert promised concessions if Palestinians end violenceThe Gaza ceasefire deal was followed earlier this week by a pledge by Mr Olmert, Israel's prime minister, to offer economic and humanitarian incentives if Palestinians end violence, release a captive Israeli soldier and resume peace negotiations.Mr Olmert promised concessions if Palestinians end violenceThe Gaza ceasefire deal was followed earlier this week by a pledge by Mr Olmert, Israel's prime minister, to offer economic and humanitarian incentives if Palestinians end violence, release a captive Israeli soldier and resume peace negotiations.
The new developments have raised hopes that some diplomatic progress can be made in the long-running conflict, which Jordanian King Abdullah this week referred to as the "core conflict" in the Middle East. The new developments have raised hopes that some diplomatic progress can be made in the long-running conflict.
"I think it's up to us and the Israelis to make it work," said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat."I think it's up to us and the Israelis to make it work," said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.
"It can work. The opportunity is there," he told the Associated Press."It can work. The opportunity is there," he told the Associated Press.
Key differencesKey differences
However, Israelis and Palestinians are still deadlocked over negotiations to free Cpl Gilad Shalit, seized by militants from an army post near Gaza in June.However, Israelis and Palestinians are still deadlocked over negotiations to free Cpl Gilad Shalit, seized by militants from an army post near Gaza in June.
Mr Olmert signalled a willingness to release Palestinian prisoners if Cpl Shalit is released, but Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman has yet to construct a deal that satisfies both camps.Mr Olmert signalled a willingness to release Palestinian prisoners if Cpl Shalit is released, but Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman has yet to construct a deal that satisfies both camps.
And both Israel and the US remain frustrated by the pace of Palestinian talks on forming a national unity government.And both Israel and the US remain frustrated by the pace of Palestinian talks on forming a national unity government.
Mr Abbas has been negotiating to replace the current government, led by the Hamas group, with a unity coalition willing to enter talks with Israel.Mr Abbas has been negotiating to replace the current government, led by the Hamas group, with a unity coalition willing to enter talks with Israel.
Israel has said that formation of a unity government is a pre-requisite for resuming peace talks.Israel has said that formation of a unity government is a pre-requisite for resuming peace talks.