US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak Monday as she presses for direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, dpa reported.
Barak was also to meet with Defence Secretary Robert Gates during his visit to Washington. After months of indirect talks mediated by the United States, Clinton wants the two sides to begin their own negotations.
State Department spokesman PJ Crowley told reporters minutes before the private meeting that they will discuss the negotiations, as well as the situation in Gaza and the region.
"They will review recent progress in our efforts to move from proximity talks to direct negotiations," he said.