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Rice in talks with Israel leaders Rice in talks with Israel leaders
(about 2 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held talks with Israeli ministers in Jerusalem, on the latest leg of her regional tour.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held talks with Israeli ministers in Jerusalem, on the latest leg of her regional tour.
She had been expected to press Israel to ease restrictions on Gaza's borders.She had been expected to press Israel to ease restrictions on Gaza's borders.
Ms Rice gave no statement after the talks, but Israeli military sources said three crossings had reopened.Ms Rice gave no statement after the talks, but Israeli military sources said three crossings had reopened.
A BBC correspondent says it is a small triumph on a trip that has yielded little in the way of concrete steps towards peace talks.A BBC correspondent says it is a small triumph on a trip that has yielded little in the way of concrete steps towards peace talks.
After leaving Israel, Iraqi TV reported that Ms Rice flew to Baghdad for talks with the Iraqi government. Although previously unannounced, such visits have become standard practice for US officials visiting the region.
The crossings from Gaza into Israel and Egypt are frequently sealed for long periods over Israeli security fears, preventing travel for most Palestinians and causing shortages of essential supplies.The crossings from Gaza into Israel and Egypt are frequently sealed for long periods over Israeli security fears, preventing travel for most Palestinians and causing shortages of essential supplies.
The United States is clearly seeking to establish alliances to push local, Arab and regional powers into confrontation with each other Palestinian newspaper al-Ayyam Press pessimism over tour After meeting Ms Rice, Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said Israel intended to "step up the pace with respect to everything related to the crossings".The United States is clearly seeking to establish alliances to push local, Arab and regional powers into confrontation with each other Palestinian newspaper al-Ayyam Press pessimism over tour After meeting Ms Rice, Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said Israel intended to "step up the pace with respect to everything related to the crossings".
A US state department official said Israel had agreed to open the Gaza-Egypt border crossing at regular intervals during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Associated Press reported.A US state department official said Israel had agreed to open the Gaza-Egypt border crossing at regular intervals during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Associated Press reported.
An Israeli military source said that the three crossings - Rafah, Karni and Sufa - had been reopened.An Israeli military source said that the three crossings - Rafah, Karni and Sufa - had been reopened.
In November 2005, Ms Rice brokered a deal under which the Palestinians would control the Rafah crossing, monitored by EU observers, and Israel would ease controls on the movement of goods.In November 2005, Ms Rice brokered a deal under which the Palestinians would control the Rafah crossing, monitored by EU observers, and Israel would ease controls on the movement of goods.
Boosting moderatesBoosting moderates
The meetings follow separate talks with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.The meetings follow separate talks with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Ms Rice said the US admired Mr Abbas' leadershipMs Rice had pledged to help ease the worsening plight of the Palestinians, who are suffering from sanctions imposed by Israel and Western states because of the governing Hamas movement's refusal to recognise Israel.Ms Rice said the US admired Mr Abbas' leadershipMs Rice had pledged to help ease the worsening plight of the Palestinians, who are suffering from sanctions imposed by Israel and Western states because of the governing Hamas movement's refusal to recognise Israel.
She met Israel's Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, as well as Mr Peretz on Thursday, but she did not speak to the media.She met Israel's Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, as well as Mr Peretz on Thursday, but she did not speak to the media.
There was no contact with Hamas officials during her trip, which was aimed at reinforcing support for what the US views as moderate Arab leaders.There was no contact with Hamas officials during her trip, which was aimed at reinforcing support for what the US views as moderate Arab leaders.
Earlier, Ms Rice repeated her call for the Palestinians to form a government that would accept international principles for re-starting the Middle East peace process.Earlier, Ms Rice repeated her call for the Palestinians to form a government that would accept international principles for re-starting the Middle East peace process.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas accused Washington's top diplomat of seeking to "rearrange" the region to suit US and Israeli interests.Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas accused Washington's top diplomat of seeking to "rearrange" the region to suit US and Israeli interests.
The BBC's state department correspondent Jonathan Beale says Ms Rice is trying to persuade Israel to make small concessions to bolster the position of the beleaguered Mr Abbas.The BBC's state department correspondent Jonathan Beale says Ms Rice is trying to persuade Israel to make small concessions to bolster the position of the beleaguered Mr Abbas.
Ms Rice dined with Mr Olmert on Wednesday following talks with Mr Abbas in the West Bank, when she said the US had "great admiration" for the Palestinian leader's role.Ms Rice dined with Mr Olmert on Wednesday following talks with Mr Abbas in the West Bank, when she said the US had "great admiration" for the Palestinian leader's role.
Her comments came after Mr Abbas said talks with Hamas on forming a national unity government had collapsed.Her comments came after Mr Abbas said talks with Hamas on forming a national unity government had collapsed.