WORLD
US ENVOY ENDS MIDDLE EAST TRIP WITHOUT TALKS RESUMING
Baku, August 12 (AZERTAC). U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell departed Wednesday for the United States after his latest bid to launch direct Israeli-Palestinian talks ended without a resumption of the negotiations.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Mitchell during their meeting in Jerusalem that Israel is ready for direct peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Mr. Netanyahu called for talks without preconditions.
Mitchell told the Israeli prime minister the U.S. shares Israel`s objectives, and will continue to work with Israel`s leaders, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
But Mitchell failed Tuesday to persuade Mr. Abbas to engage in direct talks with Israel. The Palestinian leader wants agreement first on an agenda and timeline for negotiations.