US envoy calls for end to Hamas weapons smuggling

JERUSALEM-President Barack Obama's new Mideast envoy says a long-term Gaza truce must be based on an end to weapons smuggling to Hamas and the re-opening of the territory's blockaded borders.George Mitchell says consolidating the Gaza cease-fire is "of critical importance."He made the comments Wednesday after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and security officials in Jerusalem, his second stop in a Mideast tour after Egypt.He says that after finishing his consultations in the region and with Europeans, he will report his conclusions on the next steps in the peace process to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

By STEVE WEIZMAN, Associated Press Writer

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090128/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_palestinians

As in the days of Noah...