(dpa) - Israel and the Palestinians have a "shared responsibilty" to create a better atmosphere and reality in the region, visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Jerusalem Sunday.
Addressing a joint news conference after meeting Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Rice said that she expected Israel and the Palestinians to take significant steps as regards improving the quality of life and economic prospects of the Palestinians, and guaranteeing Israel's security.
The secretary arrived in Israel on Saturday night for her latest round of talks aimed at prodding the sides toward a peace deal, which Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have pledged to try and achieve by the end of the year.
Rice was set later Sunday to meet with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Acting Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and will travel to Jordan for talks with Abbas.