US wants Mideast talks to start soon

ISRAEL: Washington wants stalled Middle East peace talks to resume soon and wrap up quickly, US envoy George Mitchell told Israeli leaders on Tuesday, as it was announced he would make his first visit to Syria.

Mitchell, whose visit comes just days before hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to outline his cabinet's peace policy, sought to play down rising tensions between the two close allies over the US peace drive.

"We all share an obligation to create the conditions for the prompt resumption and early conclusion of negotiations," Mitchell said ahead of talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres.

"We're now engaged in serious discussions with our Israeli and Palestinian and regional partners to support these efforts," said Mitchell, who met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

According to Netanyahu's office, a two-hour private meeting with Mitchell was "amicable and positive."

Israeli military radio reported that Netanyahu ran through policy proposals he plans to float "aimed at creating a positive atmosphere in Washington towards these ideas."

Netanyahu has yet to publicly embrace the principle of a Palestinian state, and the Israeli press has been filled with speculation that he might finally do so in the speech he is due to give on Sunday.

The envoy quizzed Barak on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, illegal under international law and the cause of a major rift between the United States and Israel. He is to meet with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and prime minister Salam Fayyad on Wednesday. Jerusalem, Friday, AFP