U.S. Urges Israel, Palestinians To Step Up Peace Efforts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The White House has urged Israel and the Palestinians to do more to open the way to renewed peace negotiations as President Barack Obama received a report on the status of U.S. peacemaking efforts.

Obama is sending his Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, to the region soon in the latest attempt to restart long-stalled peace talks between the two sides, the White House said in a statement.