Germany to renew Mideast peace efforts -Merkel

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1831772006

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will use its presidency of the European Union next year to launch new efforts aimed at helping secure peace in the Middle East, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a regular video podcast on Saturday.

"The political process ... must be revived," Merkel said. "Germany will seize the initiative during the EU presidency. Above all, we believe the Middle East Quartet should be revived and here, the European Union has an active role to play."

Merkel was referring to the group of four international mediators -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia -- who launched the Middle East "road map" in 2003 which was intended to revive talks on a long-term peace.

U.S. President George W. Bush also acknowledged this week the need for concerted efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after a report by former Secretary of State James Baker urged Washington to revive U.S. diplomatic efforts.

The German chancellor supported the findings of the so-called Baker Commission report.
"In particular I support a broad diplomatic initiative in which Iraq would also include its neighbouring states and would therefore be able to make a contribution towards stabilising the Middle East region," she said.

Merkel emphasised Israel's right to exist, the importance of a stable and independent Lebanon as well as the Palestinians' right to their own state. In order to secure these, the co-operation of Syria and Egypt would be required, Merkel said.

Merkel will host Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday in Berlin.

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Personal note: Another future attempt at the peace convenant with Israel b/w EU etc. Talks & more talks won't solve the problem. Only Jesus could. Peace won't come until Jesus comes again. But only a false peace will occur & I wonder will another Hitler-like man arise in Germany. To think Germany started 2 world wars if i get it correctly. Don't worry the world will have peace but fake one at that for seven years & it will lead to the doom of many. The Antichrist will require all to be chipped or marked. Once marked with the mark of the beast, no one can go to heaven. Jesus come back quickly!