Rice won´t take over Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

Source: Xinhuanet | 03-27-2007 16:55

JERUSALEM, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that she has no intention of taking over the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Rice made the remarks at a press conference after her meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Reiterating the U.S. support to Israel-Palestinian peace talks,Rice stressed at the conference that her job was to "help" both sides to reach a permanent peace deal by suggesting solutions to some of the thorniest issues that stand in the way of a breakthrough in talks.

Rice, on a shuttle peace mission in the region, met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.

She will meet Abbas again on Monday during her quick visit in Jordan.

After returning from Jordanian capital of Amman, Rice will meet Olmert also for a second time on Monday evening.

A press conference between Rice and Olmert was expected on Tuesday morning, one day later than the original schedule.

Editor:Du Xiaodan