Global General

Clinton says time is ripe for Mideast deal

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-09-14 13:54

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) hosts Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R), President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas (2nd R) and George Mitchell, US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace (2nd L) in the Monroe Room of the State Department moments before direct talks aimed at peace in the Middle East, in Washington September 2, 2010.?[Agencies]

SHANNON, Ireland?- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says that without face-to-face talks, Israel can't expect lasting security and the Palestinians can't create an independent state.

Related readings:  UN chief underlines broad support for Mideast peace process  Obama, Mideast leaders begin peace talks  Egyptian president meets Mideast parties to promote peace process  Mideast progress

She has also said the time is ripe for an agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to reach a peace deal.

She spoke with reporters Monday during a flight from Washington to Egypt for the start of the next round of Mideast peace talks.

Clinton said the Obama administration believes Israel should extend a partial moratorium on new housing construction in the West Bank, scheduled to expire this month. But she said it would take effort by both sides to find a way around the problem.