Albright discusses Jerusalem with Vatican

The future of the Middle East peace process has been discussed by the American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and senior Vatican officials.

The Vatican later issued a statement again calling for Jerusalem -- the central issue holding up any peace agreement -- to be granted special international status because of its importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.

Mrs Albright said neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians were interested in such a scheme.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service