The United States cannot bring peace to the Middle East on its own, was the message from Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, saying it was up to the Israelis and Palestinians to forge a deal.

While Barack Obama, the US president, promised to outline a way forward, Clinton highlighted a plan to revert to indirect talks, sending out mixed signals on how the US plans to break the deadlock in negotiations.

Early this week the US dropped a bid to persuade Israel on a new freeze on settlements in the West Bank, and increased military aid to Israel in its recent budget.

Al Jazeera's Patty Culhane reports. (Dec 11, 2010)