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US envoy to meet Israeli leaders US envoy begins talks in Israel
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama's envoy to the Middle East is in Israel for his first talks with the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US President Barack Obama's envoy to the Middle East is holding his first talks in Israel with the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The envoy, George Mitchell, has said the creation of a Palestinian state is the only way to resolve the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. George Mitchell began the day by meeting President Shimon Peres - during which he reiterated his support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
He will meet Mr Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman later.
Mr Netanyahu, of the right-wing Likud party, has not endorsed the creation of an independent Palestinian state.Mr Netanyahu, of the right-wing Likud party, has not endorsed the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Mr Mitchell is also to meet Palestinian leaders in the West Bank. Mr Mitchell is also due to meet Palestinian leaders in the West Bank.
He arrived in Israel to a changed political landscape, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem.He arrived in Israel to a changed political landscape, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem.
Senior Israeli and Palestinian figures doubt each others' ability or will to come to a full peace deal, our correspondent adds.Senior Israeli and Palestinian figures doubt each others' ability or will to come to a full peace deal, our correspondent adds.
'Economic peace''Economic peace'
Mr Mitchell is to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu, who leads a right-leaning coalition combining the centre-right, centre-left and far-right parties. In talks with Mr Mitchell, Mr Peres dismissed as "nonsense" speculation that Israel was planning to attack Iran over its nuclear programme, Haaretz newspaper reports.
According to a statement from the president's office, Mr Peres said there was no military solution to the nuclear threat from Tehran, and progress with Iran depended on international co-operation.
During their talks, Mr Mitchell is said to have assured Mr Peres that Washington was committed to Israel's security as well as to a two-state solution.
Later on Thursday, Mr Mitchell is to meet Mr Netanyahu, who leads a right-leaning coalition combining the centre-right, centre-left and far-right parties.
Mr Netanyahu has said the economy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be improved before progress on creating a Palestinian state is attempted.Mr Netanyahu has said the economy in the Israeli-occupied West Bank should be improved before progress on creating a Palestinian state is attempted.
Mr Netanyahu offered 'economic peace' to Palestinians, not statehood Mr Netanyahu has offered "economic peace", not statehood, to Palestinians
He has said he intends to resume talks and co-operation to promote "economic peace".He has said he intends to resume talks and co-operation to promote "economic peace".
Israel committed itself in 2003 to the establishment of a Palestinian state under the "roadmap" peace plan.Israel committed itself in 2003 to the establishment of a Palestinian state under the "roadmap" peace plan.
Mr Mitchell will also meet the new Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who has rejected the previous Israeli government's pledge in 2007 to work towards a Palestinian state under then-US President George W Bush. Mr Mitchell will also meet Mr Lieberman, who has rejected the previous Israeli government's pledge in 2007 to work towards a Palestinian state under then-US President George W Bush.
Mr Lieberman has also said the resulting peace negotiations have reached a "dead end".Mr Lieberman has also said the resulting peace negotiations have reached a "dead end".
After meeting Israeli leaders on Thursday, Mr Mitchell will hold talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah on Friday. After meeting Israeli leaders, Mr Mitchell will hold talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah on Friday.
Earlier this week Mr Mitchell described the two-state solution as "the best and only way to resolve this conflict".Earlier this week Mr Mitchell described the two-state solution as "the best and only way to resolve this conflict".
A fully independent Palestinian state is a fundamental demand of the Palestinians.A fully independent Palestinian state is a fundamental demand of the Palestinians.
On Saturday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat reiterated his administration's position that that for peace talks to resume, Israel must declare its support for a two-state solution. On Saturday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat reiterated his administration's position that for peace talks to resume, Israel must declare its support for a two-state solution.