U.S. calls for ‘clear timeline’ on Mubarak’s departure

In a phone call with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman, Vice President Biden called for President Hosni Mubarak to spell out when he intends to leave office.

In the strongest words to date, the White House said that during the phone call to Suleiman, Biden “stressed the need for a concrete reform agenda, a clear timeline, (more…)

Biden meets with Iraqi Shiite leaders to speed up government talks

U.S. Vice President Biden met with two Shiite political leaders clashing over which one will lead the nation and urged both men to speed up sluggish negotiations, which have stalled the formation of the next government, Iraqi officials said Sunday.

Biden met first with secular Shiite Ayad Allawi, (more…)

US must toughen stance against Israel

Those in the White House today, and those who wish to be in it tomorrow, should take the time to reconsider America’s “special relationship” with Israel.

Biden, Netanyahu talks ‘candid’ and ‘productive’

Talks between US Vice President Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu were “candid” and “productive” the White House said Tuesday, hours before the Israeli leader was to meet President Barack Obama. (more…)

Israel “insulted” the U.S. by expanding illegal settlements

“The announcement of the settlements on the very day that the vice president was there was insulting. It was just really a very unfortunate and difficult moment for everyone; the U.S., our vice president, who had gone to reassert America’s strong support for Israeli security, and I regret deeply that that occurred and made that view known.” – Sec. Hillary Clinton in an interview with CNN, 12 March 2010.

As the diplomatic row over Israel’s smack down of Vice President Joe Biden unfolds, governmental officials in both the United States and Israel continue to question the timing of Interior Minister’s Eli Yishai’s announcement of plans to build 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem. (more…)

Amr Moussa: Israeli-Palestinian talks on hold

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will not enter into indirect peace talks with Israel as planned, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said overnight Wednesday, due to the approval of plans to build 1,600 housing units in Ramat Shlomo in east Jerusalem.

“The Palestinian president has decided that he does not intend to enter negotiations at this stage,” Moussa said at a press conference in Cairo. (more…)

Biden publicly slams Israeli settlement plan

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden publicly scolded Israel Wednesday over a Jewish settlement plan, saying it was undermining peace efforts after Palestinians agreed to U.S.-mediated talks.

“It is incumbent on both parties to build an atmosphere of support for negotiations and not to complicate them,” Biden said in a media statement alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (more…)

Biden heads to ME in March

US Vice President Joe Biden will travel to the Middle East during the week of March 8, the White House said on Monday.
Biden will be visiting Israel, Egypt , Jordan and Palestinian territories to meet with the leaders