WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is planning his ninth trip to the Middle East since he took office in February, a spokesman said Saturday.
Kerry is to be in the region next week, CNN reported. His schedule is expected to include talks with Palestinian and Israeli leaders as he continues his effort to get them together on a peace agreement.
The most recent talks began in July. Four months ago, Kerry gave both sides nine months to reach an agreement. There have been few signs the deadline has had any effect, CNN said.
Kerry most recently visited the Mideast in mid-December, stopping off in Jerusalem on the way to East Asia and holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
