US Secretary of State John Kerry has held talks with Arab League officials as he pursues painstaking efforts aimed at revitalising the Middle East peace process.
"We're all here to have a very key discussion with respect to the Middle East peace process and other issues in the region," Kerry said as he welcomed a group of ministers to the talks on Monday.
"I think it's important that we have an opportunity to be able to talk frankly," he added.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, chair of the Arab Peace Initiative follow-up committee, headed the delegation, which also included Palestinian foreign affairs minister Riyad al-Maliki, Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, top Saudi and Lebanese officials, and Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.
In line with Kerry's so-called "quiet strategy," the talks were being held in the privacy of Blair House, often known as the president's guest house, just a short walk from the White House, and not at the State Department.
'No proposal on the table'
US Vice President Joe Biden was also expected to drop in on the talks, a White House official said.
The talks came after a "series of productive conversations by the secretary to explore how we can best move regional peace efforts forward," deputy acting State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told journalists.
"We welcome the Arab League's eagerness to play a constructive role in the pursuit of a durable and lasting Middle East peace," Ventrell added.
The talks were also expected to delve into new proposals from Kerry to promote economic development on the West Bank -- a scheme in which he is hoping to attract private sector investment to boost Palestinian trust.
But Ventrell again cautioned Kerry was not planning to lay out any proposals to the Arab League nations.
"This is more about hearing from them and their perspective on the path forward and some of their opinions," he said.
327
