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Rice embarks on new Mid-East tour Rice embarks on new Mid-East tour
(about 10 hours later)
United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is travelling to the Middle East in an effort to revive the peace process in the region. The US secretary of state has arrived in Saudi Arabia on the first leg of a Middle East tour aimed at reviving the peace process in the region.
She will visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories. Condoleezza Rice will hold talks with King Abdullah before visiting Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
It is Ms Rice' s first visit to the region since the end of the month-long conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militants in August. It is Ms Rice's first visit to the region since the end of the month-long conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militants in August.
The secretary of state was widely criticised for failing to call for an immediate end to the fighting. The US was criticised for not calling for an immediate end to the fighting.
BBC state department correspondent Jonathan Beale says President George W Bush wants to show that even if the image of the US is tarnished in the region, it is still actively engaged in bringing about a lasting peace.BBC state department correspondent Jonathan Beale says President George W Bush wants to show that even if the image of the US is tarnished in the region, it is still actively engaged in bringing about a lasting peace.
'Dim prospects''Dim prospects'
Ms Rice will focus her efforts on talking to what the Bush administration terms "the voices of Muslim moderation". "I want Saudi's involvement in the stabilisation of Iraq, I want Saudi's involvement in the stabilisation of Lebanon, through resources and political support," Ms Rice said before arriving in the western city of Jeddah.
A spokesman said she would discuss the threats to stability from Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.
President Bush may want to revive the peace process, but it is hard to see how Rice courts moderate ArabsPresident Bush may want to revive the peace process, but it is hard to see how Rice courts moderate Arabs
Ms Rice will focus her efforts on talking to what the Bush administration terms "the voices of Muslim moderation".
But hopes of achieving any agreement between Israel and the Palestinians still look dim and distant, our correspondent says.But hopes of achieving any agreement between Israel and the Palestinians still look dim and distant, our correspondent says.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been weakened by the recent war with Hezbollah and so has his negotiating position.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been weakened by the recent war with Hezbollah and so has his negotiating position.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas still cannot persuade Hamas to recognise Israel and, without that, the Americans will not even contemplate talking to Hamas.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas still cannot persuade Hamas to recognise Israel and, without that, the Americans will not even contemplate talking to Hamas.
On Friday, Mr Olmert said he hoped to meet Mr Abbas for a summit within days - their first formal talks since Mr Olmert took over as Israeli leader from Ariel Sharon in January.On Friday, Mr Olmert said he hoped to meet Mr Abbas for a summit within days - their first formal talks since Mr Olmert took over as Israeli leader from Ariel Sharon in January.