Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak claims that new attempts by US Middle East envoy will lead to the resumption of peace talks between the regime and the Palestinians.

"I get the impression there is a very intensive effort to start them," Barak told Israel’s Channel One television as US envoy George Mitchell was to hold a meeting with acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

"I imagine and I very much hope that maybe within the next two we shall achieve indirect talks," he added.

Barak’s remarks contradict Washington’s apparent pessimism on Mitchell’s current tour of the region.

After he held a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley announced that an immediate resumption of peace talks between the Israeli regime and the Palestinians are unlikely.

Crowley argued that the only path that could lead to a peace deal between the two sides is "direct negotiations."

The so-called peace talks remain stalled as Tel Aviv has ignored Palestinian and US calls for a halt to settlement expansions on Palestinian territories.

(Press TV)