JERUSALEM, March 8 (Reuters) - US envoy George Mitchell welcomed undertakings by Palestinian and Israeli leaders to begin indirect peace negotiations but said on Monday that the scope and structure of those talks required further discussion.
'I'm pleased that the Israeli and Palestinian leadership have accepted indirect talks,' Mitchell said in a statement released in Washington, as he prepared to leave the Middle East.
'We've begun to discuss the structure and scope of these talks and I will return to the region next week to continue our discussions. As we've said many times, we hope that these will lead to direct negotiations as soon as possible.
'We also again encourage the parties, and all concerned, to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks.'