Germany's FM in Israel eyes 'fresh start'

Germany's foreign minister said he was hopeful of a "fresh start" in the Middle East peace process thanks to new US engagement in the region as he arrived in Israel.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, kicking off a two-day tour of the region that will also take in Syria and Lebanon, said Germany was throwing its weight behind the new US drive to bring Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table and enlist the backing of "difficult" regional players.

"I hope we are on the verge of a fresh start, a fresh start that has been made possible by the initiative of the US president (Barack Obama) -- a decisive, fervent call for a two-state solution made not only to Israel and the Palestinians but also to the Arab neighbours," he said.

Steinmeier is to hold talks Monday with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, his counterpart Avigdor Lieberman and President Shimon Peres.

He will also pay his respects at the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem and meet representatives of the Palestinian Authority.

His arrival in Israel came ahead of a meeting in London between Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and US Middle East envoy George Mitchell amid friction between the two close allies over Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Steinmeier said Europe and Germany had a crucial role to play in laying the groundwork for a Middle East peace backed by Arab neighbours, and that "Germany has a voice that is heard in the entire region".

"I will continue to press for Israel's difficult neighbours -- in Syria and in Lebanon -- to participate constructively in these efforts toward a two-state solution. If that is successful it will be to the advantage of all in the region."

Steinmeier, who is also vice-chancellor and is challenging conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel in a September general election, is on his 14th Middle East tour since taking office in November 2005 in a left-right government.

Berlin has described the absence of violence surrounding the Lebanese elections on June 7 and improved relations between Lebanon and Syria as factors that present a "window of opportunity" that Europe must help to seize.

Such steps include building infrastructure for the Palestinians and training for local security forces to help prepare for eventual statehood.

During his stop in Damascus Tuesday, Steinmeier holds talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem and President Bashar al-Assad before meeting with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and designated prime minister Saad Hariri in Beirut.

He will return to Berlin late Tuesday.