US Mideast envoy presses Israel on settlements

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US Mideast envoy George Mitchell held separate meetings with Israel's president Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday.

U.S. special Mideast envoy George Mitchell, left, listens to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, during their meeting at Abbas' office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi)

Mitchell has been pushing Arab and Israeli officials to take steps towards restarting peace talks.

The U.S. has been pressing Israel to halt all construction in settlements built on Palestinian land.

Israel claims some construction must continue to allow "natural growth" in the settler population.

Speaking after the meeting with Mitchell, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the freeze is "an Israeli obligation" emitting from the road map to peace agreement.