[26/November/2009]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (Saba) -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday Israel's settlement freeze a "move forward in resolving" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported on Wednesday.

"Through good-faith negotiations the parties can mutually agree on an outcome which ends the conflict and reconciles the Palestinian goal of independence and viable state based on the 1967 lines, with agreed swaps, and the Israeli goal of a Jewish state with secure and recognized borders that reflect subsequent developments and meet Israeli security requirements," Clinton said in a statement.

She added the US support on the issue of achieving a peaceful solution between the two states "is unwavering." US Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell indicated he will be returning to the region "in the near future" to continue efforts to win agreement from Israelis and Palestinian on negotiation a peace deal.

Mitchell said the decision fell short of a full settlement freeze but described it as "significant" and said it "could have a substantial impact on the ground." Earlier, Israel said it would limit settlement construction for 10 months in a bid to revive peace negotiations, but Palestinians said the offer fell short of their terms for talks.

Saba