Leon Panetta urges Israel to end 'isolation' in Middle East

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has urged Israel to "mend fences" with Turkey, Egypt and others in the Middle East, in order to reduce its growing isolation.

In a speech in Washington, he said Israel was not entirely to blame, referring to an "international campaign" to isolate it.

Mr Panetta called on Israel to restart peace talks with the Palestinians, saying ''a comprehensive Middle East peace has effectively been put on hold''.