Arabs offer Israel flyover rights for free. This could possibly serve as a starting point for a peace process to get to some landing place.

Pope Benedict has announced a special meeting of bishops next year to discuss Middle East peace efforts and the role of the Catholic Church in the region.

Gordon Brown has called upon Israel, Hamas and the international community to use the opportunity of Sunday’s ceasefire to build a “clear path to peace” in the Middle East.

Thousands of people turned out in Rome's Saint Peter's Basilica to take part in Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Eve midnight mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

From the former Soviet republics to the Middle East and Afghanistan, Barack Obama's election victory is seen as a major milestone in U.S. history and a chance to restore the United States' reputation around the world. Children show placards reading "Uncle Obama We Expect Peace From You."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara says the last round of indirect talks between Israel and Syria will take place no later than two weeks from now, after which direct negotiations are to begin.

Palestinian and Egyptian officials say Israel and the Islamic militant group Hamas have reached a cease-fire agreement that will go into effect in Gaza on Thursday. Israel would not confirm the deal, but said a negotiator was rushing to Cairo to finalize details. Robert Berger at the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.

Russia's foreign minister said a Moscow-hosted peace conference on the Middle East will be held in June or July, depending on the schedules of the countries taking part.

President Bashar Al-Assad on Sunday renewed Syria's commitment to realize just and comprehensive peace and achieve stability and security in the region, whether in Iraq, Palestine or in Lebanon.

Discussions continued Friday in Moscow on Russia's offer to host a second Middle East peace conference. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was in Russia's capital where he met with several officials, including President Vladimir Putin.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is getting a cold reception in Israel. Mr. Carter is perceived as having a strong anti-Israel bias.

President Bush is to host British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the White House April 17 for talks expected to include Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran.