Obama picks George Mitchell as Mideast envoy 'to make Gaza truce last'

[subsuelo]

In a news conference at the U.S. State Department, Obama reaffirmed his commitment to reaching a peace for the Middle East.

"It will be the policy of my administration to actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians as well as Israel and its Arab neighbors," Obama said, adding that he would send Mitchell soon to the region.

Obama also said the outline for a "durable cease-fire" in Gaza was clear.

"Hamas must end its rocket fire, Israel will complete the withdrawal of its forces from Gaza. The United States and our partners will support a credible anti-smuggling and interdiction regime so that Hamas cannot rearm," the new president said in his first major speech on the region as president.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1057919.html">Haaretz - read more

[jody]

1. 'to make Gaza truce last' is a bit naive given ME history. n/t

[Clear Blue Sky]

2. What's the over/under for how long it lasts this time?