Egypt rips Rice's constitution comments
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought common footing Saturday with Arab allies with differing approaches to a new Palestinian coalition government that gives Hamas militants equal billing with Western-backed moderates.
"There are different views about the government, for example how durable is it, what is the extent of the agreement on its founding principles," said David Welch, the State Department assistant secretary for the Middle East.
He said there also are differences on how far the new government goes toward meeting international demands for recognition and aid.
Welch described the meetings among U.S. and Arab diplomats and security and intelligence officials as "lively" and productive.
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"Secretary of State Rice is trying in her visit to explore the political horizon or talk of the future, but her efforts remain modest," Abu Rdeneh said in comments broadcast on state-run Palestine TV.
"Shuttle visits to discover the horizons of the peace process without results on the ground will only lead to frustration in the Palestinian and Arab street," he added
