|
"The parties need to redouble their efforts," Rice said. The talks that began in Annapolis, Md., have produced few tangible results and are expected to be placed on hold for at least several months during the U.S. transition from Bush to Obama. In addition, Israel will hold elections on Feb. 10 and there are questions about the tenure of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas whose term technically expires in January. Rice will see Abbas and outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert along with the chief negotiators from both sides before heading to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik in Egypt where top officials from the international diplomatic "quartet" on the Middle East will be briefed on the status of the talks on Sunday. Any results officially reported to the quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the United States and the United Nations
-- from Palestinian-Israeli talks so far could become a basis for future negotiations, even after the Israeli election. Yet underscoring the fragility of the situation, Hamas militants in Gaza pounded southern Israel with a barrage of rockets as Rice prepared to leave Washington, just hours after Israeli forces killed six gunmen in new violence that threatens a five-month-old truce.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor