US calls on all parties in Middle East to begin negotiations

United States has called on all parties in the Middle East to take meaningful steps and begin negotiations so as to achieve the goal of two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict in the region.      

"We are engaging in continuing intensive discussion with all parties, and our goal is to create the context for negotiations," the State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly, said after the London meeting of the Special US Envoy for Middle East Peace, George Mitchell, and the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak.      

The Obama Administration is pressing all parties to honour their obligations under the Roadmap, Kelly said, adding that it means for the Israelis to stop all settlements including natural growth; and for Palestinian, it means an end to incitements against Israel and demonstrating an ability to provide security.      

 

"We believe also that Arab states should take meaningful steps towards normalisation with Israel. We remain committed to bringing this process to a point where we can start negotiations," Kelly said.

Meanwhile, a joint statement by Mitchell and Barak said their meeting covered all aspects of Middle East peace and security.      

"They re-affirmed their commitment to the common objective of a regional peace between Israel and Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon and the steps necessary to achieve it," the joint statement said.      

The talk also included steps by Arab states toward normalization with Israel; and, from Israel, actions on access and movement in the West Bank and on settlement activity.