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'No agreement' in Mid-East talks 'No agreement' in Mid-East talks
(9 minutes later)
US envoy George Mitchell's latest round of shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East has ended without agreement, US and Palestinian officials say.US envoy George Mitchell's latest round of shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East has ended without agreement, US and Palestinian officials say.
Mr Mitchell met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in a fresh attempt at getting a deal on Jewish settlement activity.Mr Mitchell met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in a fresh attempt at getting a deal on Jewish settlement activity.
He also went to the West Bank to speak with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.He also went to the West Bank to speak with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Mitchell was hoping for a consensus before all sides attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week.Mr Mitchell was hoping for a consensus before all sides attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said: "There is no agreement yet with the Israeli side and no middle ground solution."Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said: "There is no agreement yet with the Israeli side and no middle ground solution."
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad demands settlement freezePalestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad demands settlement freeze
An Israeli official was reported to have suggested that there may be a hiatus is settlement building in the West Bank, not including East Jerusalem, a little longer than previously offered.An Israeli official was reported to have suggested that there may be a hiatus is settlement building in the West Bank, not including East Jerusalem, a little longer than previously offered.
"Israel will agree to extend the freeze beyond six months - possibly nine months, but less than a year," the official said according to the Reuters news agency."Israel will agree to extend the freeze beyond six months - possibly nine months, but less than a year," the official said according to the Reuters news agency.
'Construction will continue''Construction will continue'
Mr Mitchell had prolonged his trip in the Middle East for several days as he pushed for a deal on freezing Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.Mr Mitchell had prolonged his trip in the Middle East for several days as he pushed for a deal on freezing Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.
He ended the talks on Friday without making an announcement.He ended the talks on Friday without making an announcement.
State department spokesman Ian Kelly later confirmed Mr Mitchell had returned to the US.State department spokesman Ian Kelly later confirmed Mr Mitchell had returned to the US.
Palestinians queue at checkpoint to JerusalemPalestinians queue at checkpoint to Jerusalem
"Of course we were hoping for some kind of breakthrough," Mr Kelly said."Of course we were hoping for some kind of breakthrough," Mr Kelly said.
The US is seeking a moratorium on settlement building that would be acceptable to the Palestinian side.The US is seeking a moratorium on settlement building that would be acceptable to the Palestinian side.
Mr Abbas and the US administration have been demanding a complete freeze on Israeli construction activity.Mr Abbas and the US administration have been demanding a complete freeze on Israeli construction activity.
Mr Netanyahu had previously offered a temporary freeze for several months, but not in East Jerusalem or in cases where homes have already been approved.Mr Netanyahu had previously offered a temporary freeze for several months, but not in East Jerusalem or in cases where homes have already been approved.
"There is a slowdown in settlement construction, but not a freeze," he said. "There are 2,400 units being built, and their construction will continue.""There is a slowdown in settlement construction, but not a freeze," he said. "There are 2,400 units being built, and their construction will continue."