The U.S. special Mideast envoy is returning to the region this week in a bid to get Israel and the Palestinians to agree to direct peace talks. The State Department said Monday that envoy George Mitchell would hold talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials on Tuesday, according to AP. Spokesman P.J. Crowley said the administration believes Mitchell can accomplish what needs to be done in quick meetings before he returns Wednesday. The administration has been increasing pressure on the parties to sit down for face-to-face talks after several months of indirect discussions mediated by Mitchell. But Crowley declined to predict the outcome of Mitchell's trip.
