Webcast News Service, 25 August 2008

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza has arrived in Israel to try to help Israelis and Palestinians come closer to an agreement on Palestinian statehood.

This is the latest in a series of trips the top U.S. diplomat has made to the region in hopes of helping the two sides bridge remaining gaps. The United States has called for Israelis and Palestinians to reach a peace agreement by January, before U.S. President George Bush's term expires.

Speaking to reporters aboard her airplane, Secretary Rice indicated it is unlikely there will be a comprehensive agreement anytime soon. She said what is important is to keep making forward progress, rather than trying prematurely to come up with a set of conclusions.

The United States has been calling for a peace agreement by year's end and Rice on Monday said Washington is sticking to that goal, although she said there is 'a lot of work ahead'.

Negotiations launched in the U.S. city of Annapolis last November have not made visible progress. Both sides remain stuck on key issues, including that of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and of the Palestinians' right of return.

Palestinian officials have praised U.S. efforts to push for an early agreement, but Israel has warned against too much pressure, saying a premature agreement could lead to violence.

Rice's trip includes meetings with top officials on both sides. She travels Tuesday to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Hours before Rice's arrival, Israel released nearly 200 Palestinian terrorists in what officials said is a gesture of goodwill meant to bolster the peace negotiations.