US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israelis and Palestinians today to step up efforts to achieve a long-stalled peace deal.
"Hopefully we can take this moment to accelerate our efforts and intensify our efforts toward the two-state solution that we all desire," Ms Rice said at a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Abbas said talks among Palestinians to achieve a national unity government aimed at ending an international aid boycott have reached a "dead end." Mr Abbas, a member of the Fatah party, is trying to assemble a more moderate Palestinian government after elections in January handed Hamas control.
Hamas's support of terrorism and refusal to recognise Israel's right to exist prompted the United States, Israel and other nations to impose crushing economic sanctions.
Asked about Mr Abbas's options now, Rice declined to get involved. "That's for the president to decide - he's the elected official not me," she said.
Ms Rice also said Israel has obligations under the peace blueprint known as the "road map." Requirements regarding Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories are "clearly articulated," she noted.
Ms Rice has left Jerusalem for sessions with Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
She accompanied Mr Bush during morning sessions concerning Iraq in nearby Amman before breaking away for her meetings later with the Palestinian and Israeli leaders.