Palestinian Authority, Israel Welcomes New US Peace Envoy

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RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP)--The Palestinian Authority and Israel welcomed Friday the appointment of former senator George Mitchell as the new U.S. envoy to the Middle East.

"We welcome this appointment. He's someone with experience of the Israel- Palestinian question and the settlement of political conflicts," chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia told AFP.

"We have already worked with him as the author of the Mitchell report which called for a freeze of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from West Bank towns," Qureia said. "The report was objective."

Israel welcomed not only Mitchell but also U.S. President Barack Obama's move to "engage actively" in peace negotiations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ygal Palmor said.

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