U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (file photo)

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Israeli and Palestinian representatives are discussing peace initiatives behind closed doors.

Rice spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday as she accompanied President Bush home from a trip to the Middle East. She said divulging the contents of the negotiations would endanger their outcome.

The U.S. secretary of state predicted that the talks will intensify in the coming months. She said that during his trip, Mr. Bush had extensive discussions with all of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

She reaffirmed Mr. Bush's support for the vision of a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.