United States peace envoy George Mitchell is to return to Israel and the Palestinian territories this week, most likely Wednesday or Thursday, dpa quoted chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat as saying Sunday. Mitchell will meet separately with President Mahmoud Abbas and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the sides continue their indirect peace talks, launched earlier this month. The first round of talks ended one week ago, with what the US government described as "serious and wide-ranging" compromises from both sides. The indirect talks got under way after Abbas sought, and received, Arab League backing for negotiations with Israel. -- SPA