'Miracle needed' for peace deal before Clinton goes
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators have held new peace talks, but report no progress towards an agreement.
After three hours of negotiations in Erez, a Palestinian official has said it would take a miracle to reach a deal in the eight remaining days of Bill Clinton's term.
The two sides are working toward a treaty outline, hoping US mediator Dennis Ross can narrow differences on key points in a proposed visit.
The sudden return to negotiations - three weeks after the last high-level contacts in Washington - follow a series of security meetings that led Israel easing the blockade on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Yasser Abed Rabbo says "a miracle" will be needed to achieve an accord before Clinton leaves office.
He says talks will resume in the coming days.
Other officials say the teams might convene again after the end of the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday.
