Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (CNN) -- The arduous Middle East peace talks continued on Tuesday in Egypt, where officials from Israel and the Palestinian Authority "have begun a serious discussion on core issues," a top U.S. diplomat said.
"They have agreed to begin first on working to achieve a framework agreement for permanent status. That work is now well under way," said U.S. special envoy George Mitchell.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas attended the almost two-hour long session, along with Mitchell and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Mitchell briefed the media after the session and said the goals remain a two-state solution, condemnation of violence and working toward security, and a resolution of all issues.
He reiterated the Obama administration's position that Israel should extend the moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank, a hiatus scheduled to end later this month.
"We believe we are moving in the right direction overall," he said.
CNN
