Europe to help with Israel-Palestinians peace talks: Merkel

The visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised Sunday that Europe will try to build a new burst of international efforts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

In her first Middle East trip as the current rotating EU president, Merkel told Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni the Europeans are ready to offer support, but ultimately the sides must resolve their differences themselves, according to the news released from Israeli Government Press Office.

"The Europeans must not assume that they could force a solution. We can't and I don't want to do it," she said in her speech, adding "Within my abilities, I would like to support the sides to walk the path toward peace."

The chancellor also called on Iran to immediately release 15 British sailors and marines seized in the Gulf on March 23.

"Britain has the full solidarity of the European Union, we demand the immediate release of the 15 British soldiers," Merkel said in a speech at the Hebrew university, where the former physics researcher received an honorary doctorate.

Merkel arrived on Saturday after a stop in Jordan, where she met King Abdullah, one of the strongest supporters of the Arab peace initiative.

She held unofficial talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after her arrival.

In the afternoon, Merkel will meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in West Bank city of Ramallah, followed by talks with Olmert in Jerusalem in the evening.