Ministers meet for key Mideast conference
Senior officials from the United States, Europe and several Arab nations met on Wednesday to work on a plan for ending more than two weeks of Mideast fighting, even as Israeli troops and Hezbollah continued to clash. Much of the discussion will likely focus on efforts by the Europeans and others to overcome strong U.S. and British opposition to an immediate cease-fire. The Americans are against a quick truce, arguing that a cessation of violence must also lead to a durable peace and ensure that Hezbollah is no longer a threat to Israel. Full Story