The United States said on Thursday a Mideast peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians is not likely before January.
"We do not think that it's likely," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said when she was asked if there is any possibility for Israel and the Palestinian Authorities to reach a peace agreement before the end of the year.
"We realize that, with the political changes that have happened in Israel over the passed couple of months, and really since early summer started, that the prospects of being able to get one done became more unlikely," Perino said.
However, the spokeswoman added that "It's important that we maintain momentum for the negotiations. Over the past year, we have laid some very good ground work for the Palestinians and the Israelis to be able to continue to have their discussions."
Perino made the remarks when U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Israel at the start of a Middle East trip, trying to push Israel and Palestinians to adopt the outlines of a peace deal.
Following her visit to Israel, Rice is due to travel to the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Egypt until Nov. 9. The latest Mideast trip by Rice marks her 19th visit to the region in two years, and her eighth shuttle diplomacy trip to the hot spot since the U.S.-hosted peace conference in Annapolis last November. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, under the U.S. pressure, resumed the long-stalled peace talks and pledged to reach a comprehensive peace agreement by the end of 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office in January.
Source:Xinhua
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