U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell met with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in Israel on Sunday to launch a fresh drive to restart peace talks in the region.

[George mitchell, U,S, Middle East Envoy]:
"I'll be going to Ramallah to meet with the Palestinian leaders where I am asking them to take steps to expand and improve their security, so critical for the interest of the people of Israel; to take action against incitement; to refrain from any words or deeds that make more difficult the prospect of successful negotiations. And of course, we're in discussions with our friends here in Israel on steps that can be taken here to move in the same direction."

The settlement issue is the primary obstacle to renewing these peace talks.

U.S. President Barack Obama has demanded a freeze on Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and Arab East Jerusalem.

Ehud Barak has publicly raised the possibility of halting settlement construction, but wants building projects already underway to continue. This, as part of a deal in which Arab countries would take initial steps to normalise relations with Israel.

[Ehud Barak, Israeli Defense Minister]:
"I can tell you that we here are ready to take whatever reasonable effort to make it happen (referring to regional peace) and try to push it forward. Of course we bear in mind our vital interest but we understand there are needs of the other partners as well. And we clearly need the leadership of the United States as well as your experience and wisdom in the attempt to achieve this."   

The visits to the region by Mitchell and other top U.S. officials in quick succession are seen as a strong signal from Obama of his intention to keep Israeli-Arab peacemaking high on his agenda.