But he has disappointingly little to show for his efforts, despite withdrawing the army from a 16,000-square-mile zone of rebel-controlled territory to encourage negotiations.

He added: "I have encouraged strongly direct negotiations between the parties."

He would limit military assistance to stop the escalating war on the civilian population and to encourage serious negotiations for free elections.

He said he had gone to the stores to encourage negotiations aimed at settling the matter.

Talks are expected to begin soon on possible Taliban prisoner releases and other 'confidence building measures' to encourage full negotiations to end the conflict.

We have encouraged negotiations for two years and observed a moratorium on sanctions for seven months.

He also said he hoped to encourage "negotiations based on the contact group proposals."

While criticized by both sides for killing any progress made between the two sides, Arcuri said he wanted to encourage negotiations.

The government required little persuasion and encouraged negotiations between a number of Australian companies.

It would even be appropriate to encourage direct negotiations between the Sahrawi people and Morocco.