US Assistant Secretary of State David Welsh said here Monday that the United States encourages Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace talks.

Describing his meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as "successful", Welsh told reporters that they discussed outstanding issues related to the resumption of the Mideast peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Welsh said US President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are both committed to the peace process which is high on their foreign agendas, because "without a political solution, there will be no peace or stability in the region."

Welsh and Abbas also discussed preparations for a summit between Abbas and Bush in Washington slated for later this month.

Source: Xinhua