Clinton: Mideast Envoy Will Return to Region to Push for Peace

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to send the Obama administration's special envoy for the Middle East back to the region within weeks to pursue further peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Clinton spoke to reporters at the State Department Tuesday after meeting with special envoy George Mitchell, who returned Monday from a visit to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Mitchell -- whom Clinton described as part of the administration's "diplomatic force projection" to the Middle East -- will be returning to the region before the end of February, the secretary of state said.

Clinton added that conditions for talks with Hamas "have not and will not change," and stressed the need for the group to recognize Israel's right to exist.

Clinton said Mitchell spoke with regional leaders about steps toward attaining a sustainable and durable cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. She said Mitchell's initial trip was the first of many planned high-level diplomatic engagements.

Mitchell, who spoke briefly to reporters, said that regional Arab leaders took notice of Obama's appearance on Al Arabiya television on Jan. 27, and are pleased by the United States' prompt diplomatic action in the region.

FOX News' Mosheh Oinounou and The Associated Press contributed to this report.