Special envoy Mitchell to meet with Israeli PM

President Barack Obama is sending special Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

They will discuss the Middle East process between Israel and the Palestinians. Netanyahu recently said that he supports Palestinian statehood but with many conditions including demilitarization of the new state.

The Palestinians rejected Netanyahu's caveats, but the Obama administration has said that it seemed like a good start. The Israeli prime minister though has rejected Obama's call for a complete freeze on settlement expansion including that coming from natural population growth in existing settlements.

Times Online

Israel sees deal soon with Obama over settlements

Washington Post - ‎13 hours ago‎

In talks with US President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy, Netanyahu has asserted that his government does not have the legal authority to stop building ...

AP sources: Obama envoy to meet Israeli leader The Associated Press

Netanyahu Responds to Obama with Obfuscation, Rhetoric and More ... Huffington Post

Commentary: Obama can succeed in Mideast CNN International

Obama envoy says Palestinian state only viable solution

U.S. envoy George Mitchell speaking Wednesday after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Palestinian statehood was the only option in resolving the conflict with Israel.

Mitchell said that the Obama administration was committed to a successful conclusion of renewed peace talks.

"We are now engaged in serious discussions with Israelis, Palestinians and other regional partners to support this effort," Mitchell said.

Obama has also called for a freeze on all Israeli settlements to include expansion by population growth in existing settlements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to a settlement freeze and his conservative government could fall if he is seen as giving in.

GulfNews

Obama envoy says Palestinian statehood only option

Washington Post - ‎13 hours ago‎

US President Barack Obama had made it clear "the only viable resolution to this conflict is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states," ...

Egypt praises Obama as welcome change from Bush The Associated Press

Obama's State of the Union With the Muslim World Huffington Post

Barack Obama ready for Iran talks

President Barack Obama said he is willing to begin talks with Iran -- a view echoed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Obama said that if Iran were willing to "unclench its fist" it would find an "extended hand" from the United States.

Obama's Middle East envoy, former Senator George Mitchell, is now touring the region.

Voice of America

Obama says ready to talk to Iran
Reuters - 30 minutes ago
By Firouz Sedarat and Lin Noueihed DUBAI (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said America was prepared to extend a hand of peace to Iran if it "unclenched its fist" and that the time was ripe for Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations.
Obama Signals New Tone in Relations With Islamic World New York Times
Egypt, Hamas welcome US Middle East envoyChristian Science Monitor
Clinton says Iran has chance to show willing to engage Reuters
Clinton: Iranians must choose whether to cooperate The Associated Press
Clinton: Engagement in Iran's hands MSNBC