backed effort to strike an agreement by the end of 2008 failed U

3, aimed to consolidate the ceasefire that ended Israel's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip and to "reinvigorate the peace process." Critics have faulted the Bush administration for what they viewed as its relative neglect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until its last year, when a U.S.-backed effort to strike an agreement by the end of 2008 failed U.S. President Barack Obama has made a deliberate effort to show that he is engaged on the issue from the start of his presidency, telephoning Arab and Israeli leaders on his first full day in office on Wednesday and attending the announcement of Mitchell's appointment at the State Department a day later. "The administration will actively and aggressively seek a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Israel and its neighbors," Wood told reporters. Wood said it was possible Mitchell's schedule might change but, when asked if he might go to Syria, said, "I don't believe that's planned at all." He also ruled out Mitchell having any contact with Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza and that the United States regards as a terrorist organization. While on his trip, Mitchell will seek to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and to establish an anti-smuggling system to prevent Hamas from rearming, Wood said.

Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip in late December with the declared aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks on its southern communities. Mitchell will also seek to address the humanitarian needs of the 1.5 million Palestinians who live in Gaza and to speed the reopening of border crossings into area, where Hamas seized control from the Palestinian Fatah faction in June 2007 A U.S. official said Mitchell will leave for Cairo on Monday and then head to Israel for meetings there and in the West Bank on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday he visit Jordan before flying to Riyadh, where he will have talks on Sunday. He then travels to Paris and London before returning to Washington on Feb 3 to brief Clinton and Obama.

The official said Mitchell hoped to visit Turkey, which has hosted indirect Israeli-Syrian peace talks, but this was not yet confirmed.(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and Sue Pleming; Editing by David Wiessler). ) It took six weeks for the Giants to finally play a team worth calling an opponent this season when they travel to New Orleans this Sunday to take on the Saints. While the Saints will be at home, there will not be any advantage against the Giants, as New York has gone 18-3 in their last 21 road games.While cheese-heads, Vikings, and dirty-birds may disagree, the truth is, these two powerhouses will becompeting all season for the number one spot in the NFC Giants Offense vs. Saints DefenseThe Giants offense has blown away any questions of concern over the departures of Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and Derrick Ward.Since the beginning of the season, Eli Manning has utilized every weapon around him, and completed 63 percent of his passes with a quarterback rating of 104.1. Sharper, who has five interceptions already, is a complete ball hawk and also has the ability to blitz the passer. Because of his all-around talent, Sharper will be New Orleans' key to keeping Eli Manning off balance and disoriented in the pocket. The best way to beat a player with Sharper’s ability is to keep the ball away from him by throwing screens and short passes.

The less he is involved, the better the chances are of moving the ball down the field.If the Giants happen to take some shots down the field against the Saints defense, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are going to have to work hard to keep New Orleans honest in order to set up the play action pass and keep Sharper on his heels.Jacobs has struggled when you compare his numbers to last year, but his ability to dominate is still there. His success will be the key to allow Manning to prosper in a stadium that is very loud. The game plan on the offensive side of the football for the Giants is to have long sustained drives to keep Drew Brees on the sideline for as long as possible.Giants Defense vs. Saints OffenseA defense that has been terrorized by the injury bug will be put to the test this week.