Peace envoy Mitchell in bid to save Middle East talks

Peace envoy George Mitchell was on his way to the Middle East today in an urgent bid to salvage stalled peace talks after the US criticised Israel’s refusal to extend its partial ban on settlement building.

“We are disappointed but we remain focused on our long-term objective and will be talking to the parties about the implications of the Israeli decision,” State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said, adding that Mr Mitchell would “sort through with the parties where we go from here”.