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| Obama hails Mid-East talks, warning of 'hard choices' | Obama hails Mid-East talks, warning of 'hard choices' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has welcomed Middle East peace talks due to begin in Washington later, but cautioned that "hard choices" lie ahead. | US President Barack Obama has welcomed Middle East peace talks due to begin in Washington later, but cautioned that "hard choices" lie ahead. |
| He spoke after US Secretary of State John Kerry named a former US ambassador to Israel as the lead negotiator. | He spoke after US Secretary of State John Kerry named a former US ambassador to Israel as the lead negotiator. |
| The talks, stalled since 2010, follow six visits to the Middle East in the last five months by Mr Kerry. | The talks, stalled since 2010, follow six visits to the Middle East in the last five months by Mr Kerry. |
| The meeting was confirmed hours after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. | The meeting was confirmed hours after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. |
| The move, which split the Israeli cabinet, is to take place in stages over several months. | The move, which split the Israeli cabinet, is to take place in stages over several months. |
| The initial talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives are scheduled begin on Monday evening and continue on Tuesday, said the state department. | The initial talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives are scheduled begin on Monday evening and continue on Tuesday, said the state department. |
| 'Daunting' | 'Daunting' |
| At a press conference in Washington DC on Monday, Mr Kerry urged both sides to make "reasonable compromises" for peace. | |
| "I know the negotiations are going to be tough, but I also know the consequences of not trying will be worse," he said. | |
| He was joined by Martin Indyk, whom he appointed as US special envoy to the talks. | He was joined by Martin Indyk, whom he appointed as US special envoy to the talks. |
| He told reporters: "It is a daunting and humbling challenge, but one that I cannot desist from." | He told reporters: "It is a daunting and humbling challenge, but one that I cannot desist from." |
| Mr Indyk, 62, also said he looked forward to working with both sides to "do our best to achieve President Obama's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security". | Mr Indyk, 62, also said he looked forward to working with both sides to "do our best to achieve President Obama's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security". |
| The seasoned diplomat played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000 under former President Bill Clinton. | The seasoned diplomat played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000 under former President Bill Clinton. |
| State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki suggested the initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides. | State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki suggested the initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides. |
| Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, told AFP news agency on Monday: "There must be a timeline and commitment from both sides on what they'll agree about. We hope for something good." | Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, told AFP news agency on Monday: "There must be a timeline and commitment from both sides on what they'll agree about. We hope for something good." |
| The Israeli delegation is to be led by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, while chief negotiator Saeb Erekat will represent the Palestinian side. | The Israeli delegation is to be led by Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, while chief negotiator Saeb Erekat will represent the Palestinian side. |
| At the UN in New York on Monday, Ms Livni said the talks would be "very tough and problematic". | At the UN in New York on Monday, Ms Livni said the talks would be "very tough and problematic". |
| But she added that efforts towards peace were "a mutual interest for Israel, for the Palestinians, the Arab world, the international community". | But she added that efforts towards peace were "a mutual interest for Israel, for the Palestinians, the Arab world, the international community". |
| Major sticking points include the future of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees. | Major sticking points include the future of Israeli settlements on the West Bank, the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees. |
| The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010. | The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010. |
| Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. | Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. |
| Also on Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven. | Also on Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven. |
| The inmates are to be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. | The inmates are to be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. |
| Their identities have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers. | Their identities have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers. |
| Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought support for his proposal. | Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought support for his proposal. |
| The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions. | The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions. |
| Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such decisions. | Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such decisions. |