EU seeks unity for Middle East peace push

The European Union wants to form a broader, UN-backed coalition to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, inspired by Europe's role in the recent nuclear deal with Iran.

Taking up a French proposal, EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to try to create an "international support group" more than a year after the collapse of a US-brokered peace push envisaging a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel. The EU wants to open the door for more countries to get involved.

"This week tells us that diplomacy in the long run can deliver," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, referring to the July 14 deal in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for an end to sanctions.