He also criticised Palestinians for mooting unilateral action and pooh-poohed Mr Fayyad's plan, so it has little chance of implementation any time soon.

ECONOMIST: The Palestinians' West Bank

Rice said the Mideast Quartet -- composed of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia -- is examining a plan by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for the Palestinian Authority to take a greater role in monitoring border crossings between Gaza and Israel.

CNN: Rice calls on Israel to avoid crisis

They are airing a plan promoted by the Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad, to get on with building a state that can then be presented for recognition by the UN Security Council in a couple of years.

ECONOMIST: The Palestinian president is in a pickle