Kerry to meet Israeli president today

US Secretary of State John Kerry will hold a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem later on Monday as part of renewed US diplomatic efforts aimed at resuming peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. According to Radio Israel, another meeting will be held early Tuesday between Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine. The radio station said Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni, who is in charge of negotiations with the Palestinians, will take part in Tuesday's meeting. Neither party had indicated any hopes pinned on the American efforts, since Israel still refuses to stop construction and expansion of settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank, said the Radio, adding that Kerry's visit aims to resume dialogue which stopped three years ago between the two sides. Kerry headed to Ramallah on Sunday, where he also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as part of a his third Middle Eastern tour within the last three weeks.