U.S. Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have had a productive first set of direct peace talks on Thursday, and that they reflect the "good faith" of both leaders. 

[George Mitchell, U.S. Middle East Peace Envoy]:          
"President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu both expressed they intend to to approach these negotiations with good faith and seriousness of purpose."  
          
Mitchell said he met with the two leaders along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before the closed door discussions -- adding he thinks both men will be able to reach an agreement.    
        
[George Mitchell, U.S. Middle East Peace Envoy]:          
"They must weigh the difficulties they will face in getting a agreement, they must weigh the difficulty they will face if they don't get an agreement. And we believe it is a very powerful argument if you subject these to very careful and rational analysis to conclude that the later difficulties, if they don't; get an agreement will be much greater."  
          
Mitchell said he and Secretary Clinton will attend the next meetings scheduled for September 14th and 15th in the region.