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Kerry puts off visit to Middle East: spokeswoman

11 June 2013 03:45 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has put off his fifth trip to the Middle East planned for this week, but will reschedule another one soon, the State Department said Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"The secretary will be in Washington this week," department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters at a regular press briefing. "He had planned a trip that was widely reported across the region. "

Press reports said the Obama administration is mulling over arming the Syrian rebels, which were losing ground in their fighting against the government troops.

"We will have that trip soon, in the short term," Psaki said.

Kerry, who has prioritized restarting the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians since taking office in February, warned last week that time was running out for a possible peace deal.

He had planned to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week, reports said.