Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday urged Israel to strengthen the recently reached cease-fire with the Palestinians.

Rice made the call during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem Thursday afternoon, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

During the talks, Rice praised Olmert's speech on Monday at Sde Boker that called on Palestinians to negotiate with Israel. The move could contribute to calming the situation and promoting the peace process in the region, Olmert said.

Rice also expressed her appreciation for the Israeli restraint in the wake of violations of the truce on the part of Palestinian militants.

The U.S. top official updated Olmert on her meeting earlier in the day with Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Olmert also updated Rice on his meeting with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman concerning the ceasefire, weaponry smuggling across the Gaza-Egypt border and continued efforts to release the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

The two sides also discussed the Iran issue.

Hours earlier, Rice held talks with Abbas in the West Bank city of Jericho, after which she headed to Jerusalem for the meeting with Olmert. She will also hold talks with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting with Abbas, Rice promised that the U.S. intended to "intensify our efforts" to renew the Middle East peace process.

Washington has made clear it expects a viable, contiguous Palestinian state when it is created and no actions should be taken now to prejudge the outcome of a final peace agreement, she said.

The United States is interested in seeing PNA reforms of its security services and political institutions, she added.

Source: Xinhua