Israel's chief negotiator with the Palestinians said on Thursday Israel did not need any "dramatic" intervention in the peace process from U.S. President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office in January. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who could become prime minister after Israel's general election in February, told Jewish leaders in New York the international community should limit itself to backing the talks according to parameters set out at a peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, nearly a year ago. The talks have been hobbled by violence and bitter disputes over Jewish settlement building and the future of Jerusalem. Livni said she welcomed the outcome of a meeting she attended last weekend in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with the Quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- and Arab and Palestinian leaders.
Israel's chief negotiator with the Palestinians said on Thursday Israel did not need any "dramatic" intervention in the peace process from U.S. President-elect Barack Obama when he takes office in January.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who could become prime minister after Israel's general election in February, told Jewish leaders in New York the international community should limit itself to backing the talks according to parameters set out at a peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, nearly a year ago.
The talks have been hobbled by violence and bitter disputes over Jewish settlement building and the future of Jerusalem.
Livni said she welcomed the outcome of a meeting she attended last weekend in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, with the Quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- and Arab and Palestinian leaders.
Tony Blair has called on Barack Obama to lead the world in finding a solution to conflict in the Middle East. The former Prime Minister said the new President would have the chance to heal divisions in an 'era of real possibility'. Speaking during a visit to Rwanda, Mr Blair said world leaders had been too tied up with their own domestic agendas to focus properly on the decades-old Middle East conflict. He admitted that though he tried to influence the Middle East peace process while serving as Prime Minister, his efforts were doomed because he could not acquire the necessary detailed understanding of the issues. And he said Mr Obama could heal rifts between America and Europe by being prepared to champion causes regarded as priorities in Europe such as the Middle East, poverty and the environment.
The former Prime Minister said the new President would have the chance to heal divisions in an 'era of real possibility'.
Speaking during a visit to Rwanda, Mr Blair said world leaders had been too tied up with their own domestic agendas to focus properly on the decades-old Middle East conflict.
He admitted that though he tried to influence the Middle East peace process while serving as Prime Minister, his efforts were doomed because he could not acquire the necessary detailed understanding of the issues.
And he said Mr Obama could heal rifts between America and Europe by being prepared to champion causes regarded as priorities in Europe such as the Middle East, poverty and the environment.
his efforts were doomed because he could not acquire the necessary detailed understanding of the issues.
And since you've been an ex-prime minister you've been so busy on the US lecture circuit replenishing the coffers so to speak, that you've not had time to do the job as Middle East envoy for the UN.
Mind you, as the person who refused to criticise the invasion of Lebanon last year and the excessive destruction Israel did, even in areas entirely unconnected with Hizbollah, you have to wonder exactly how neutral he was. keep to the Fen Causeway
