US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the first direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians in nearly two years on Thursday, relaunching the longstanding international effort to reach a settlement, DPA reported.
Clinton hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the State Department. In her opening remarks, Clinton acknowledged the "suspicion and scepticism" that accompanies the talks and past failures.
"But by being here today, you each have taken an important step in freeing your people from the shackles of a history we cannot change and moving toward a future of peace and dignity that only you can create," she said.
Netanyahu and Abbas were also to make remarks before retreating to Clinton's office for discussions expected to last about three hours.
President Barack Obama held separate meetings with Netanyahu and Abbas on Wednesday to urge them to move quickly to address some of the most difficult obstacles that must be overcome to forge a peace settlement.
