Clinton and Peres in talks over mid-east

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Israeli president Shimon Peres have discussed the need to halt Syrian violence as well as blocking Iran’s potential production of nuclear weapons during talks in Jerusalem.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jul 2012, 21:06 BST

The meeting underlines US support for an ally in a difficult neighbourhood.

Mrs Clinton met president Peres for about an hour as part of what is perhaps her final visit to Israel as Secretary of State, bringing a message of solidarity to the Jewish state after three-and-a-half years of only stunted progress toward a Palestinian peace deal.

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After their visit, they each issued a statement to reporters without taking questions. Mr Peres spoke about the importance of maintaining Israel’s three-decade peace with Egypt, and decried the violence in neighbouring Syria.

He also voiced support for the US administration’s pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear activities – which has sometimes been a point of contention between a cautious US keen to give negotiations and sanctions time to work and an Israeli government that has threatened military action.

Mrs Clinton said she spoke with Peres about “Egypt and Syria, peace efforts, Iran and other regional and global issues”.

Related topics:ClintonIranJerusalemEgyptPalestinian