Global General

Biden sees 'moment of opportunity' in Mideast

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-09 19:57

Biden sees 'moment of opportunity' in Mideast
US Vice President Joseph Biden, center, enters a car upon his arrival to Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, March 8, 2010. Biden arrived to Israel Monday, the first leg of a five-day tour of the Middle East. Biden's trip is the highest-level visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories yet by an Obama administration official. [Agencies]

JERUSALEM - US Vice President Joseph Biden says there is a "moment of opportunity" for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Biden is making the highest-level visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories by an Obama administration official.

Ahead of a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday, Biden also said there is "absolutely no space between Israel and the United States" where Israel's security is concerned.

Hours after Biden's arrival Monday, the US announced that Israel and the Palestinian Authority would begin indirect peace negotiations, breaking a 14-month deadlock.

Biden is slated to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before continuing to Jordan on Thursday.