Rice pushes for progress on Israel-Palestinian peace

Occupied Jerusalem: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barack on Sunday to discuss removing West Bank roadblocks.

Rice, who is meeting Israeli and Palestinian officials for a peace bid, had said she would review Israel's steps for Palestinians, including promised removal of barriers.

Israel had planned to remove 61 barriers in march. However, a UN survey found that only 44 barriers had been scrapped.

"Not all roadblocks are created equal," Rice said.

Rice met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after her arrival in Occuppied Jerusalem on Saturday and will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.

Rice said the most important part of her talks would be to review "where we are in terms of the situation on the ground and the improvement of life for the Palestinian people."

Abbas and Olmert are due to meet on Monday following Rice's departure.