No peace deal in Middle East following US mission

Anthony Zinni, Washington’s Middle East peace envoy, ended a four-day mission today without a formal truce agreement.

Talks between Zinni and leaders from both sides were overshadowed by the Red Sea incident when Israeli troops intercepted a ship bound for Palestinian controlled territory with fifty tonnes of weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon branded Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a “ bitter enemy” over the shipment, which he said, was organised by Arafat’s administration.

The Palestinian Authority denied ties to the huge consignment, which included rockets, anti-tank missiles and mortars, most of them made in Iran.

Yesterday, Zinni handed security officials from both sides "homework" to be completed before his expected return to the region on January 18.