Rice calls for Middle East talks

Abbas offers to resume peace negotiations on the condition of a truce in Gaza.

Condoleezza Rice (L) shakes hands with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas
Rice is in the region to persuade Palestinian and Israeli leaders to resume peace talks [AFP]
Meanwhile, the Arab League, meeting in Cairo, has threatened to withdraw the Arab peace initiative over Israel’s attacks.
 
In her talks with Israeli leaders, US officials said Rice would urge Israel to try harder to avoid harming innocent people in Gaza, where about half of the more than 120 Palestinians killed recently were reported to be civilians.
 
On Tuesday, Rice had failed to persuade Abbas to change his mind after he suspended communication with Israel because of its continuing assault on the Gaza Strip.
Source: News Agencies