Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
US envoy reaches Cairo on whirlwind Mideast tour  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US envoy reaches Cairo on whirlwind Mideast tour
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFP - Monday, July 27
CAIRO (AFP) - - US Middle East envoy George Mitchell reached Egypt on the latest leg of a whirlwind regional tour after stops in Israel and Syria earlier, as Washington bids to jumpstart stalled peace talks.
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
  
Mitchell will meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday, the president's office said, after the US envoy held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv.
Washington is committed to a "comprehensive peace in the Middle East and that includes Israel and Palestine, Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon and normal relations with all countries in the regions," Defence Minister Ehud Barak's office quoted Mitchell as saying after the two met in Tel Aviv.
Earlier in Damascus the former US senator said that he "just completed a very candid and positive conversation with President Assad."
"I discussed with President Assad the prospects for moving forward on our goals of comprehensive peace in the region and improved bilateral ties between Syria and the United States," he said.
Mitchell's Middle East swing is also scheduled to include a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah and talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, likely to focus on US demands that Israel halt settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu has so far refused to heed the calls and the disagreement has led to a level in tensions not seen in years between the two close allies.
Mitchell's latest trip to the region comes as part of a diplomatic push that coincides with a visit to Israel by Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday and National Security Advisor James Jones make a three-day trip beginning on Tuesday.
Gates arrived in Israel on Monday on a visit aimed at breathing life into faltering Middle East peace talks.
Gates was due to meet his Israeli counterpart, Defence Minister Ehud Barak, before holding talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US officials said.
US President Barack Obama is determined to reach a comprehensive peace between Israel and all its Arab neighbours in order to guarantee "stability, security and prosperity" in the region, Mitchell said in Damascus.
"If we are to succeed, we will need Arabs and Israelis alike to work with us to bring about comprehensive peace.
"We will welcome the full cooperation of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic in this historic endeavour."
Obama has moved to re-engage Damascus as part of a bid to breathe new life into the faltering Middle East peace process.
Syria and Israel held four rounds of preliminary negotiations through Turkish mediators last year but Syria broke them off in December amid Israel's deadly offensive against the Gaza Strip.
The new Israeli government of Netanyahu has since rejected Syria's minimum condition for a peace treaty -- the return of the strategic Golan Heights which Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981 in a move never recognised by the international community.
Assad reiterated the Syrian demand in his talks with Mitchell, insisting on "the right of Arabs to recover their occupied land through a just and comprehensive peace based on international resolutions and the principle of land for peace," the official Syrian Arab News Agency said.
The last round of direct peace talks between the two sides broke down in 2000 when Israel baulked at the demand for the return of the whole Golan, right down to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the Jewish state's main water source.
The flurry of diplomatic activity comes amid mounting friction between Israel and Washington over the US demand for a halt to Jewish settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, including annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
Netanyahu said before the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday that the US envoys' visits reflect the "strong and broad relationship between Israel and the United States."
But he acknowledged are were also differences.
"Naturally even within this friendly relationship there isn't total agreement on everything and on several issues we are trying to reach that understanding in order for us to be able to promote our common interests of peace, security and stability," he said.
Egypt, which has been mediating between rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas and between Israel and Hamas for a prisoner swap that would release an Israeli soldier held in Gaza, is seen as key to encouraging Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Egyptian officials have said the talks cannot be expected to fully resume in the absence of a unified Palestinian government.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
     
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
  
 
 
 
Most Popular – Top Stories
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Ex-boxing champ Forrest shot in back and killed
 
 
Harry Patch, last veteran of World War I trenches, dies at 111
 
 
Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years
 
 
Massive quake moves NZealand closer to Australia
 
 
Swine flu virus has spread to almost every country: WHO
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
   
 
Other News on Monday, 27 July 2009 Richest woman's 'visions' claim amuses Israelis  
Six dead in Chechnya suicide bombing: officials  
Sarkozy rushed to hospital after jogging collapse  
WITNESS  
American Apparel Retailer Targeted For Selling "Legalize Gay" T-Shirts  
First results due Monday in Iraqi Kurd election  
Amy Winehouse Found Not Guilty Of Punching Dancer  
Australian Actors Vote To Strike Against Producers  
Revolutionary Guard tightens hold in Iran crisis  
Afghan vice-presidential hopeful survives attack  
Nigeria clashes kill over 50 in northeastern city
| International
|  
Johnny Depp Surprises Fans With Unplanned Appearance At The Comic Con  
Castro hints at more belt-tightening for Cuba
| International
|  
Nas Ordered To Pay Kelis $44K A Month For Spousal And Child Support  
U.S. wants Syria help in Israel-Palestinian talks  
Michael Jackson's Doctor Being Investigated For Manslaughter  
Angelina Jolie Revisits Iraq To Meet With Displaced Families  
Foundation Bares 2 New Mozart Piano Compositions  
Patrick Swayze Denies Heart Attack Reports  
VH1's "Lords Of Revolution" Documentary To Feature 20th Century Icons  
Clinton says 'no, never' to a White House bid  
Envoy: US favors overall Mideast peace accord  
Petraeus: US will support Yemen anti-terror fight  
Analysis: Fed in the middle of push-me, pull-me  
HARD TIMES: School budgets dip, class sizes grow  
AP INVESTIGATION: Main Street's soaring sour loans  
New direction in terror fight may stem from case  
US on verge of closing anthrax probe after 8 years  
'Bird racing' at NYC park under federal scrutiny  
Southwest flight makes unexpected LI landing  
China tightening control over steel industry  
China, India can help, not save world economy  
India's billionaire Ambani brothers slug it out  
Indian farmers fear rain gods may play truant  
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office  
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
| Entertainment
|  
Next week decisive for future of Lacroix  
New film shows pranksters battling companies  
James Cameron talks tech, "Avatar" at Comic-Con  
Ex-'Idol' contestant struck, killed by car in NJ  
70-Foot Whale Stuck To Cruise Ship's Bow  
Palestinians Take on Israelis in Imaginary Game of 'Wall Soccer'  
Opposition in Iraqi Kurd elections claims gains  
Sarkozy 'doing well' after jogging collapse: aide  
Apple, labels work on plan to boost album sales: report  
Iraqi Kurd opposition hails poll breakthrough  
Clinton urges North Korea to return to talks
| International
|  
GM crop trials start again in Britain in 'secret': report  
Rich countries corner supplies of swine flu vaccine  
Ousted Honduran president sees U.S. support waning
| International
|  
Lending slowdown in US: report  
Traders, managers to face British watchdog tests  
Iran plunged into fresh political turmoil  
NATO, Afghan soldiers among 22 killed in unrest  
Ex-boxing champ Forrest shot in back and killed  
Mediterranean rim battles to contain wildfires  
Forty-two dead as sect, police clash in Nigeria  
Afghanistan strikes Taliban truce in remote area
| International
|  
Russia frees crime boss wanted by U.S.: report
| International
|  
Myanmar court hears final arguments in Suu Kyi case
| International
|  
France's Sarkozy to leave hospital after dizzy spell
| International
|  
Water crisis uproots Syrian farmers
| International
|  
4 cousins, mom, 3 others die in NY wrong-way crash  
New AP bureau chief appointed in Tokyo  
IV tube chemical linked to preemie liver woes  
Mexico police name suspect in border agent death  
Mexican, U.S. Authorities Announce Arrests Of Suspects In Killing Of U.S. Border Patrol Agent  
Apple, labels work on plan to boost album sales: report
| Technology
|  
Conn. home-invasion survivor faces court ordeal  
NY 3 Car Crash Kills 8, Including 4 Children  
Weak oversight mars success of Iraq hotel project  
Sarah Palin Steps Down As Alaska's Governor; Parnell Sworn In  
Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska governor  
Palin issues final Tweet on state account  
China venture exchange gets 108 IPO applications  
Korea Hot Stocks-Online game issues fall; retailers,Hynix up  
China wants 108 firms to list on local 'Nasdaq'  
Japan's Nikkei index climbs above 10,000  
S.Korea to check bank loan, liquidity data -report  
S.Korea June consumer sentiment at near 7-yr high  
US seeks action with China on economy  
Clinton, Geithner seek action with China on economy  
Taiwan gov't fund mulls stock sale -paper  
South Korea bonds edge down early, exit talk eyed  
Fans get first look at star-studded Iron Man 2
| Entertainment
|  
TV panels at Comic-Con kept fans intrigued
| Entertainment
|  
Study: HBO leads on TV in showing gay characters  
French presidents keep health a 'state secret'  
Lost bringing back characters from 1st season
| Entertainment
|  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
"Lost" bringing back characters from 1st season  
Fans get first look at star-studded "Iron Man 2"  
'G-Force' guinea pigs scramble to box office top spot  
Timberlake christens eco-friendly golf course  
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office  
Israel confirms first swine flu death  
VW may raise 4 bln euros for Porsche deal: report  
Kabul hails local truce with Taliban ahead of vote  
Afghanistan says strikes Taliban truce in remote area
| International
|  
Gates reassures Israel on U.S.-Iran strategy
| International
|  
Kurd opposition party eyes big gains in Iraq vote  
Report: Israeli settler population crosses 300,000  
Chechen separatists to halt attacks on police: report  
Gunship strikes kill 20 militants in NW Pakistan
| International
|  
"American Idol" Wannabe Killed In An Apparent Homicide  
US envoy reaches Cairo on whirlwind Mideast tour  
Anna Friel Not Likely To Give Up Acting For Motherhood  
Muslim rebels expand Nigeria attacks
| International
|  
Iran's Mousavi says protests will continue: website
| International
|  
EU extends Georgia mission, holds off on U.S. joining
| International
|  
SKorean firms to jointly develop new chips  
German far-right leader charged with incitement
| International
|  
Hezbollah's Nasrallah warns Israel over future war
| International
|  
South Africa council workers strike, services crippled
| International
|  
Cambridge police: Race not mentioned in 911 call  
US eyes Iranian nuclear response by autumn: Gates  
Bikini-clad woman accused of carjacking in Miss.  
GOP eyes fate of the `serious sin' senator in La.  
Moderate quake strikes N Pakistan; no injuries  
Summer bummer: Dude ranches lack dudes, dudettes  
NZ signals likely to raise Afghanistan troop level  
Obama's Day: It's diplomacy and sports  
NZealand woman rescued from overly playful dolphin  
Israel's Barak: 'No option' off table on Iran  
American al-Qaida to be resentenced for Bush plot  
Media moguls rethink Web advertising in downturn
| Technology
|  
Islamabad investigates pro-Taliban cleric  
Senate warns against concessions on nuclear treaty  
Nepal PM thanks British actress for Gurkha campaign  
Dems alone can't deliver Obama health care win  
Death toll rises to 10 in Japan landslides, floods  
CD shop bombed in northern Pakistan; 2 wounded  
Japan man "admits selling trucks" to North Korea  
UN chief discusses climate change in Mongolia  
NKorea hints at disarmament talks with US  
Deadly riot by China steelworkers scuttles merger  
Shanghai's first IPO in 11 months shares suspended  
Nissan gives preview of its vaunted electric car  
Cambodia gets national carrier with Vietnam's help  
Cambodia launches national airline  
Sikhs, Hindus dread Taliban tax in Pakistan  
Seoul shares post longest gaining streak in over 3 yrs =2  
Seoul shares post longest gaining streak in over 3 yrs  
Hitachi said to take control of key businesses  
Audi to open new plant in China in September: report  
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
| Entertainment
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights