Obama administration reports little progress in its efforts to renew Mideast peace talks

September 24th, 2009 Mideast negotiators lauds Obama's initiativeUNITED NATIONS — The Quartet of Mideast peacemakers says President Barack Obama's meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas represents an important step toward the resumption of peace talks. The Quartet — comprising the U.S., U.N., European Union and Russia — said it shared the sense of urgency expressed by Obama regarding the comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

September 23rd, 2009 Obama urges relaunch of Mideast peace negotiationsUNITED NATIONS — President Barack Obama says the time has come to re-launch negotiations toward the long-elusive goal of Mideast peace. In a speech to the U.N.

September 18th, 2009 US envoy in new try to revive Mideast peace talksJERUSALEM — The U.S. Mideast envoy is pressing on with efforts to revive Mideast peace talks and extract Israeli concessions on settlements.

September 17th, 2009 Obama: Mideast peace goal on Jewish holy dayWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is using a Rosh Hashana message to renew his call for peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on Friday and Obama says in a video message released Thursday that the new year should be a time of prayer and celebration.

September 3rd, 2009 France: No more settlements, or no Mideast peacePARIS — France's foreign minister says an agreement on freezing Jewish settlements must be reached for international Mideast peace efforts to succeed. Bernard Kouchner and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Thursday in Paris.

September 2nd, 2009 Obama envoy to resume talks in Mideast next weekWASHINGTON — The State Department says former Sen. George Mitchell, who is the Obama administration's special envoy for Mideast peace, will return to the region next week for another round of talks aimed at setting the stage for a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

August 31st, 2009 EU: Fresh Mideast talks could be announced soonJERUSALEM — A top European Union official said Monday that renewal of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks could be announced in late September. The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he expected a plan to reopen negotiations to emerge with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept.

August 26th, 2009 Mitchell, Netanyahu say progress made at talksWASHINGTON — The Obama administration's Mideast peace envoy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu say they have "made good progress" at talks aimed at restarting negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. A joint statement from former Sen.

August 20th, 2009 Obama, King Abdullah II speak on Mideast peaceWASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah II about their efforts to restart peace negotiations in the Middle East. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Thursday said the two spoke by phone about restarting regional talks to secure a stable Middle East.

August 7th, 2009 Clarification: BC-US--US-Mideast-JordanWASHINGTON — In an Aug. 3 story on American peace efforts in the Mideast, The Associated Press reported that Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh rejected support for confidence-building measures that the U.S.

June 11th, 2009 Carter: Mideast peace not possible without HamasDAMASCUS, Syria — Former President Jimmy Carter Thursday reiterated that there can be no peace between Israel and the Palestinians without involving the militant group Hamas. His comments came shortly before he met with the militant group's Syrian-based leader, Khaled Mashaal.

June 5th, 2009 Obama sees 'serious progress' for Mideast peaceDRESDEN, Germany — Trying to defy decades of disappointment in the Middle East, President Barack Obama raised hopes Friday for "serious progress this year" in the elusive search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. "The moment is now for us to act," Obama declared at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

June 5th, 2009 Obama sees mood better for Mideast peace talksDRESDEN, Germany — President Barack Obama says he's worked harder than other presidents in recent years to arrange a Mideast peace agreement, arguing he's created "the space, the atmosphere" for new talks. Obama made the assertion in a joint appearance with Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, who promised to cooperate in her own right on this long-sought goal.

May 6th, 2009 Blair: Quartet to unveil Mideast plan in 5-6 weeksJERUSALEM — The U.S.-led Quartet of Mideast mediators is working on a new strategy for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and is expected to present it in five to six weeks, said Quartet envoy Tony Blair. The plan is being devised by the Obama administration, with input from others, Blair told Palestinian reporters.

April 26th, 2009 Jordan sees new war if US does not act quicklyAMMAN, Jordan — Jordan's king urged President Barack Obama Sunday to take a more forceful role in the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, warning of a new Mideast war if there is no significant progress in the next 18 months. Speaking to NBC's "Meet the Press," King Abdullah described the Israeli-Palestinian dispute as the core problem of the region and solving it would help the U.S.