CBNNews.com  - The special U.S. envoy for Middle East peace wants to open a permanent office in Israel.

George Mitchell wants his staff to work every day on issues that block peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mitchell just returned from a week-long trip to the Middle East.

Today, he briefed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and will meet with President Obama Wednesday.

"This is the first of what will be an ongoing high level of engagement by Senator Mitchell on behalf of myself and the president," Clinton said.

"I'm convinced after a week there that my original assessment, that with patient and determined and persevering diplomacy, we can help to make a difference," said George Mitchell, of the U.S. Mideast Envoy.

President Obama says he wants to step up U.S. efforts to broker a Middle East peace deal.