US Middle East envoy George Mitchell today met Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak and held discussions. <br/><br/>According to Israeli foreign ministry statement both leaders discussed measures that are needed to move forward the political process with the Palestinians.<br/><br/>During his visit, the US envoy is also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman apart from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. <br/><br/>Before travelling to Israel, Mitchell held talks in Lebanon and Syria, where he stressed that both countries had a key role to play in a comprehensive Middle East peace.<br/>