LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A diplomatic fire being put out today. Let's go right now and get the latest on that. And CNN's Andrea Koppel standing by at the State Department in Washington with some developing news there -- Andrea.</s>ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon; good morning, Daryn. That's right, U.S. officials this morning expressing a renewed sense of optimism that another round of U.S.-mediated Israeli- Palestinian peace talks could be possible in coming days. That word following what U.S. and Palestinian officials say was a last-minute, as of last night, acceptance by Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader -- an acceptance of this U.S. framework for a possible peace deal. That acceptance, however, was conditional. It had reservations. And what remains unclear right now is whether or not the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, will consider these reservations enough cause to hold another round of talks, or at least have officials -- Israeli officials and Palestinian officials -- get together for another round of talks. President Clinton expected to speak with the Israeli prime minister shortly to brief him in detail on his discussions last night and yesterday with the Palestinian leader. Whether or not Mr. Barak accepts these conditions remains to be seen. He, of course, is under tremendous pressure at home. He has elections coming up in early February. He stands very stiff competition from the Likud Party leader, Ariel Sharon. And Mr. Barak's primary way to win reelection, he believes, and many also believe, is if he is able to present the Israeli people with a deal in hand that he has made with the Palestinian people. So, right now, U.S. officials saying the next step to watch is what comes out of this conversation that President Clinton is expected to have with the Israeli prime minister, and whether or not the Israeli's believe that there is enough cause to hold another round of senior level talks. Back to you.</s>DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Andrea Koppel at the State Department, thank you very much.
Conflict in the Middle East: New Hopes for Peace Agreement Emerge from Clinton-Arafat Meeting