US kick starts Peace Talks

The United States has launched a new drive to kick-start Middle East peace talks, with visits to Israel, Syria and Egypt by special envoy George Mitchell.



In Damascus, Mr Mitchell met Syria\'s President Bashar Assad for what the envoy called candid and positive talks.



Mr Mitchell later flew to Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak and then made an unscheduled trip to Egypt.



Other senior US officials are due to visit the region this week.



The heightened activity comes at a time of strained relations between the US and Israel.