U.S. Middle East Envoy Mitchell Resigns

U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace Talks and former Senator George Mitchell (file photo)

U.S. President Barack Obama has announced the resignation of U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell after two years in the post.

Obama named Mitchell's deputy, David Hale, as acting envoy.

Mitchell's departure is likely to further complicate the stalemated Arab-Israeli peace process.

Obama tapped Mitchell as Middle East envoy in his new administration in 2009, hoping the veteran diplomat could bring his negotiating skills to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

But two years on, Israel and the Palestinians are no closer to achieving a peace accord, which the United States hopes to see result in two nations living side by side.

compiled from agency reports