In a joint news conference with President Bill Clinton at the end of his US visit Mr Barak spoke of the need for direct talks with Israel's neighbours

He said that within a 15-month framework, it would become apparent whether a breakthough had been achieved and conflict had been brought to an end.

Mr Clinton said that making Israel stronger and making Palestinian and Jordanians more secure and more prosperous were "crucial to building a just and lasting peace in the region".

Painful compromises

The two leaders have agreed to form a joint strategic committee to bolster Israel as it makes what the new Israeli prime minister has called "painful compromises" with the Arabs to reach peace terms with the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon.

President Clinton said the US would provide more aid to Israel and strengthen its security system to counter the growing threat of long-range missiles and weapons of mass destruction, and give assistance to the Palestinians and to Jordan in the context of implementing the Wye River peace agreement signed last year.

Mr Barak said: "I will not shy away from difficult choices, but I have a responsibility to all the people of Israel to minimise the risk and dangers" to their security.

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He said he was committed to the renewal of the peace process and that he would leave no stone unturned to complete it.

He warned that "any unilateral steps, or aggression" would have no place in the path to peace.

Peace partners

The prime minister said that " the road may be long and arduous, but with our peace partners we can, and will, make it happen".

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Mr Clinton promised any help that the US can provide.

Mr Barak said the 15 month timetable was to show that he was not talking about a "miraculous" solution, nor yet dragging his feet.

The two leaders are planning to meet every four months in their accelerated push to complete agreements before the November 2000 US presidential election.

In Israel, the army has begun preparations for moving a military base away from the Palestinian-controlled town of Jenin.

And the government has also said that the Palestinians have stopped unauthorised activity in east Jerusalem, indicating that the threat to shut down Yasser Arafat's unofficial Jerusalem headquarters no longer exists.