U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Egypt to mediate a second round of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian leader.Before his arrival on Tuesday, Clinton told reporters Ministers accompanying him on the way that "time is ripe" for Middle East peace. However, he urged Israelis and Palestinians to resolve the dispute over the suspension period ending immediately the construction of new settlements in the West Bank.
Clinton will meet separately on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, on the edge of the Red Sea, before the three-party talks. Third parties will continue their talks in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
Clinton warned that without face-to-face talks, Israel can not expect lasting security and the Palestinians do not have an independent state. This talk is the first direct communication between Israel and Palestine within two years.
Clinton on Monday declared another American view that Israel should extend the freezing of settlements, but he said there are obligations of both parties to ensure that perudingan kept walking.