By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israeli President Shimon Peres on Thursday expressed his belief that Israelis and Palestinians could overcome their difficulties ahead of an upcoming U.S.-sponsored international conference on Middle East peace.
He made the remarks during a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday morning.
Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website that the president said he was certain that Rice would put all her energy and talent into preventing the conference from failing.
In return, Rice noted that there were many hurdles to overcome before the summit, but there was an atmosphere of peace and sincere which will ensure to reach an agreement between the parties.
Rice arrived in Israel on Wednesday noon on her latest visit to the region.
On Wednesday, Rice met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Vice Premier Haim Ramon, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
After Rice’s meeting with Olmert, a spokesman at the Israeli prime minister’s office said that the two decided to meet again on Thursday.
Rice was also scheduled to travel to the West Bank city of Ramallah for meetings with the Palestinian leadership on Thursday.
During her visit, Rice was expected to lay groundwork for the international summit on Middle East peace which was called by U.S. President George W. Bush in July.
En route to Israel, Rice said Wednesday that “critical issues” would be tackled at the peace conference, which is expected to be held in November, and she called on the Israelis and Palestinians to do more to bridge their differences.