US says Israel, Palestinians to resume peace talks

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to resume stalled direct peace negotiations in Washington early next month.

She made the announcement at the State Department with special Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell at her side.

The breakthrough marks a small but important step toward easing tensions in the Middle East. The goal is to agree on arrangements for two sovereign states, Israel and an independent Palestine.

"As we move forward, it is important that actions by all sides help to advance our effort, not hinder it," Clinton said. "There have been difficulties in the past; there will be difficulties ahead. Without a doubt, we will hit more obstacles. The enemies of peace will keep trying to defeat us and to derail these talks. But I ask the parties to persevere."

Clinton said the face-to-face talks are to begin Sept. 2. She said the hope is that a comprehensive peace agreement can be reached within one year.

"We believe it can be done within a year and that is our objective," Mitchell told reporters after Clinton's announcement. The US, he said, will offer "bridging proposals" designed to advance the negotiations, but he was not specific.

Mitchell said subsequent negotiating sessions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas likely will be held in the Mideast, but he mentioned no specific site.

Also invited to attend the Washington session are Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah II, "in view of their critical role in this effort," Clinton said.

President Barack Obama will hold one-on-one talks with each of the four leaders, separately, on Sept. 1, followed by a dinner with them, Clinton said.