Rice Calls on Palestinian Factions to Halt Violence
03 October 2006
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called on rival Palestinian factions to stop the deadly fighting that has claimed at least 10 lives since Sunday.
In the Saudi city of Jeddah Tuesday, Rice said innocent Palestinians have been caught in the fighting, which has occurred in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Late Monday in Jeddah, Rice held talks with Saudi King Abdullah. Jeddah was the first stop of a Mideast tour aimed at exploring ways to re-start the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Rice is now in Cairo, where she is due to meet with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. She will hold separate talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Arab officials are expected to press the United States for an early revival of talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel refuses to negotiate with the Hamas-led Palestinian government unless it recognizes Israel, renounces violence and accepts interim Palestinian agreements with the Jewish state.
Later in the week, Rice is to meet separately with Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
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