Obama to name Mitchell as Mideast envoy: paper

[bemildred]

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Incoming President Barack Obama plans this week to name former Northern Ireland peacemaker George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy to deal immediately with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

Mitchell will be appointed on Wednesday following the Senate's expected confirmation of Hillary Clinton as Obama's secretary of state, The Washington Post newspaper said quoting Obama aides.

In the runup to his inauguration, Obama had resisted pressure to speak out on a three-week Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip launched on December 27, insisting there was "only one president at a time" to represent the United States abroad.

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Mitchell, 75, is a retired US senator who steered the tough negotiations that led to lasting peace in Northern Ireland. He is the son of a Lebanese immigrant mother, and of an Irish father who when orphaned was adopted by a Lebanese family.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h7FiHtnmJNschh9VfKV02r_TyCvA

[Qutzupalotl]

1. Another excellent choice.

Better utilized here than tracking steroids in MLB.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Knock me over with a feather!!!!!!!! This is terrific news!!!!!!! nt

[bemildred]

4. Stay tuned. The next couple days ought to be interesting. nt

[Scurrilous]

3. Obama promises new start with Muslims

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"U.S. President Barack Obama promised a new start with the Muslim world in his inauguration address on Tuesday.

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," said Obama, who became the first black president of the United States."

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE50J5UE20090120

[ProgressiveMuslim]

6. I have to say, my non-practicing Muslim teen was in tears. nt

[azurnoir]

5. A solid choice

I want to hear Israeli reaction to this

[GoesTo11]

7. Peres sees Obama as great for 'the world'

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1232292912673&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull


Of course, this was before the news about Mitchell. And there are others who are sad to see Bush go.

[LeftishBrit]

8. Very glad to hear that

I'm a big Mitchell fan, due to his constructive involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process. Hope he can play as a good a role in the Middle East!

[Kurska]

9. Interesting choice, seems to signify he really wants to get the ball rolling I/P Peace

Whether this is to be any better fated then the past two administrations efforts, is yet to be seen.

[delad]

10. excellent news. have to admit, very surprised n/t

[Tripmann]

11. YES!!

The first real indication that the new administration genuinely weants to move things forward in the ME...