Quds, September 13, SPA -- Efforts are still needed to bridge an Israeli-US dispute over settlement building, and allow peace talks with the Palestinians to be renewed, dpa qouted President Barack Obama's envoy George Mitchell as saying Sunday. Mitchell, who arrived in Israel Saturday night for more discussions on the long-running issue, said reports that the dispute has been resolved are "premature." "While the suggestions that we have finalized and reached agreement on a range of issues (are) inaccurate because they are premature, we hope they will be accurate in terms of moving forward in the very near future," he said. Obama has demanded that Israel halt completely all settlement construction in the West Bank. Netanyahu replied that while Israel would build no new settlements, it would continue construction inside existing ones, to allow for population expansion - so-called "natural growth." -- SPA
