US envoy Mitchell expected in Mideast in very near future

US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell is expected to return to the region soon and is closer to launching indirect peace talks, although nothing is yet set, a US official said Wednesday.

"We expect Senator Mitchell to return to the region in the very near future ... (to) continue our work to get negotiations relaunched as soon as possible," said the official, who spoke on condition that he not be identified. "We are getting closer to doing that but we don't have anything locked and loaded ready to announce yet." (Reuters)