Clinton in Egypt for new round of Mideast talks, says ‘time is ripe’ for permanent peace

Clinton in Egypt for new round of Mideast talks

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Egypt to start a second round of Mideast peace talks.

Clinton is joined by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH’-hoo) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD’ ah-BAHS’) for meetings hosted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (HAHS’-nee moo-BAH’-rahk) in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik (sharm ehl shayk).

Clinton told reporters flying with her from Washington that she believes “the time is ripe” for Israel and the Palestinians to make a permanent peace.

First, however, they will have to find a way around a disagreement over a looming end to an Israeli curb on Jewish settlements on land the Palestinians want for their own state.