International briefs: United States

SECRETARY of State Hillary Clinton said America would push Israeli and Palestinian leaders to solve the core issues standing in the way of peace. She said both must seek a deal despite a breakdown in US-brokered direct negotiations.

Clinton, saying she shared frustration over the impasse in peace talks, said the United States would launch a new round of indirect shuttle negotiations aimed at making real progress in the next few months toward a framework peace deal.

Clinton's speech marked her first Middle East policy address after the United States abandoned efforts this week to persuade Israel to stop new construction of Jewish settlements.