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| US envoy starts Middle East push | US envoy starts Middle East push |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US President Barack Obama's envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, is on his way to the region, heralding a new burst of diplomacy. | |
| He will meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss boosting a ceasefire in Gaza and renewing the peace process. | |
| Egypt has been mediating between Israel and the Palestinians, and between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah. | |
| Speaking to the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya network, Mr Obama told the Muslim world that Americans were not its enemy. | |
| In what was his first formal TV interview since becoming president last week, Mr Obama said the US sometimes made mistakes and stressed that his administration would adopt a more open diplomatic approach. | |
| This interview is a big deal... It will confuse some in the Middle East even further class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2009/01/prospect_of_a_thaw.html">Justin Webb's America | |
| "As I said in my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us," he told Al-Arabiya. | |
| "It is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of US power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran." | |
| The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that for most of the interview, Mr Obama appeared determined to be emollient and - as he put it repeatedly - respectful, and stressed that the US would listen. | |
| Diplomatic moves | |
| Mr Obama said he had asked his envoy to seek genuine progress during his visit to the Middle East. | |
| CONFLICT IN FIGURES More than 1,300 Palestinians killedThirteen Israelis killedMore than 4,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza, more than 20,000 severely damaged50,000 Gazans homeless and 400,000 without running water Special report: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in mapsProfile: Gaza Strip As well as Egypt, Mr Mitchell will travel to Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia. | |
| Separately, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he was heading to the Middle East to join efforts to cement a permanent ceasefire. | |
| The diplomatic moves come a day after European Union humanitarian aid chief Louis Michel blamed the militant movement Hamas, which controls Gaza, for the humanitarian crisis there. | |
| He called the destruction left by Israel's offensive "abominable", but said Hamas bore "overwhelming responsibility". | He called the destruction left by Israel's offensive "abominable", but said Hamas bore "overwhelming responsibility". |
| About 1,300 Palestinians, including 400 children, were killed in Israel's 22-day assault, while 13 Israelis died, some as a result of Palestinian militant rocket fire. | |
| 'Concrete progress' | 'Concrete progress' |
| US envoy George Mitchell is to visit Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia during a week-long tour, as well as European stops including Paris and London, said state department spokesman Robert Wood.Relief agencies urged an opening of crossings so more aid can reach Gaza | |
| He said Mr Mitchell would meet "senior officials to discuss the peace process and the situation in Gaza". | He said Mr Mitchell would meet "senior officials to discuss the peace process and the situation in Gaza". |
| Mr Obama said the new envoy would take an active approach. | Mr Obama said the new envoy would take an active approach. |
| "The charge that Senator Mitchell has is to engage vigorously and consistently in order for us to achieve genuine progress," he said. | "The charge that Senator Mitchell has is to engage vigorously and consistently in order for us to achieve genuine progress," he said. |
| "And when I say progress, not just photo ops but progress that is concrete." | "And when I say progress, not just photo ops but progress that is concrete." |
| It remained unclear whether Mr Mitchell would travel to the Gaza Strip. | It remained unclear whether Mr Mitchell would travel to the Gaza Strip. |
| Israeli and Palestinian faction representatives have visited Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials since a non-negotiated ceasefire came into effect on 18 January. | Israeli and Palestinian faction representatives have visited Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials since a non-negotiated ceasefire came into effect on 18 January. |
| Hamas wants an end to Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza. | |
| Israel, which will hold a general elections on 10 February, wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas re-arming. |