JERUSALEM, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to the Middle East Tuesday, where she plans to work on establishing a Palestinian state.
Rice will meet separately with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during her two-day visit to the region, Voice of America reported Tuesday. They are working on a document regarding Palestinian statehood that is scheduled to presented during an international peace conference in the United States later this year.
Israeli spokesman Mark Regev said the goal of Rice's meetings and the document is creation of a Palestinian state.
"And we want to engage with this Palestinian government, and the idea is that we all understand where the peace process is going because we all can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Regev said.
However, issues remain to be resolved. While Israel seeks a vague declaration of principles, Abbas said he wants to address the core issues, including Jerusalem, refugees and final borders.
"I hope that we can conclude ... conclude (a) framework for the final status issues," Abbas said.
