[16/March/2010]

Washington, March 16 (Saba) - The U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East peace George Mitchell has delayed a visit to the region as the United States awaits a response to its demand that Israel reverse a decision on construction in disputed territory in East Jerusalem, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The Israeli ambassador to the United States has reportedly called the situation a crisis.
Mitchell was expected back in the region to begin indirect talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, but he has delayed his trip, the CNN reported Tuesday.

If the current crisis between Israel and the United States won't be solved there would be no point in the envoy's visit, according to sources in the Israel's Prime Minister's Office.

Israel remains a strategic ally of the United States despite the recent crisis in relations between the two countries; U.S. State Department spokesman said stressing that U.S. commitment to Israel's security remains unshakeable.

Saba