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Rice seeks renewed Mid-East push Rice seeks renewed Mid-East push
(about 4 hours later)
The US secretary of state has called on the Palestinians and Israel to agree a "common agenda" to move forward on establishing a Palestinian state. The US secretary of state has called on the Palestinians and Israel to agree a "common agenda" to move towards establishing a Palestinian state.
"Now we are in a situation in which I think a bilateral approach, in which I talk in parallel to the parties... is the best way," Condoleezza Rice said."Now we are in a situation in which I think a bilateral approach, in which I talk in parallel to the parties... is the best way," Condoleezza Rice said.
She also called for renewed effort from Arab and Western states on the issue. Ms Rice was speaking after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Ms Rice was speaking after talks in the West Bank town of Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. She meets next with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman before further talks with the Palestinians and Israelis.
"I think that it is extremely important that there be a political horizon for the Palestinian people," she said. "And I sincerely hope that in the future the parties themselves can talk about that political horizon among themselves.""I think that it is extremely important that there be a political horizon for the Palestinian people," she said. "And I sincerely hope that in the future the parties themselves can talk about that political horizon among themselves."
War of words Separate talks
But she said it was essential that the Palestinian government accept international demands to renounce violence and recognise Israel.But she said it was essential that the Palestinian government accept international demands to renounce violence and recognise Israel.
Ms Rice will later meet the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert.
I would hope that every state would search very deep to see what it can do at this crucial time to finally end this conflict Condoleezza Rice Worse times ahead? Egypt reform rowI would hope that every state would search very deep to see what it can do at this crucial time to finally end this conflict Condoleezza Rice Worse times ahead? Egypt reform row
Mr Olmert on Sunday expressed what correspondents said was unusually blunt criticism of Mr Abbas, accusing the Palestinian leader of violating a promise to free a captured Israeli soldier before forming a new Palestinian national unity government. Ms Rice is talking to the Israeli and Palestinian leaders separately because Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert refuses to talk to Mr Abbas on matters of peace since the Fatah leader formed a national unity government with the Islamist group Hamas.
"We can't ignore the fact that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority blatantly violated a series of commitments to Israel, especially the commitment that no national unity government would be formed before Gilad Shalit's release," Mr Olmert said.
This refers to the seizure of an Israeli soldier by Hamas-linked militants last June.
Palestinians have said that Mr Abbas never made such a promise, although he has said he would do his best to work for Cpl Shalit's release.
"There is no excuse for Israel to continue to run from serious negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organisation and President Abbas," said senior Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rudeina."There is no excuse for Israel to continue to run from serious negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organisation and President Abbas," said senior Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rudeina.
Ms Rice is in the region trying to restart the dormant Middle East peace process. It is her seventh to the region in eight months.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is also touring the Middle East.
After talks with Mr Abbas on Sunday he said achieving peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians was essential.
Mr Ban said he would urge Mr Olmert to halt settlement building in the West Bank, release frozen Palestinian funds and ease travel restrictions when he meets the prime minister on Monday.
United effortUnited effort
Mr Olmert's remarks came several hours before Ms Rice was due in Jerusalem for talks as she continues her shuttle diplomacy aimed at restarting the dormant Middle East peace process. Ms Rice's trip is her seventh to the region in eight months.
Washington has not recognised the Palestinian unity government, but says it will talk to ministers who are not members of the Islamic group Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist group.Washington has not recognised the Palestinian unity government, but says it will talk to ministers who are not members of the Islamic group Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist group.
Earlier, Ms Rice held talks in the southern Egyptian city of Aswan with President Hosni Mubarak where the pair discussed ways to reinvigorate the peace process.Earlier, Ms Rice held talks in the southern Egyptian city of Aswan with President Hosni Mubarak where the pair discussed ways to reinvigorate the peace process.
Addressing a news conference afterwards, Ms Rice said she hoped every state would "search very deep" to see how it could help end the conflict.Addressing a news conference afterwards, Ms Rice said she hoped every state would "search very deep" to see how it could help end the conflict.
"The Palestinian people have waited long enough to have a state of their own and the Israeli people have waited long enough to have the kind of security that will come from the establishment of a stable and democratic neighbour to live in peace with," Ms Rice said."The Palestinian people have waited long enough to have a state of their own and the Israeli people have waited long enough to have the kind of security that will come from the establishment of a stable and democratic neighbour to live in peace with," Ms Rice said.