White House condemns violence after Jerusalem blast

The car bomb ripped through a busy open-air market in west Jerusalem

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The White House Thursday condemned continued violence in the Middle East after a suspected car bomb in West Jerusalem killed two people, but a spokesman said diplomatic efforts had made some progress.

"Obviously we condemn the violence, but it's unclear what the facts are," White House spokesman Jake Siewert said.

However, Siewert also noted diplomatic advances to end the violence. Israeli and Palestinian leaders were expected to make an announcement that the two sides had agreed on steps to end five weeks of bloody clashes, implementing a U.S. brokered cease-fire agreement reached last month at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

ALSO Jerusalem bomb kills 2 Israelis after Israel, Palestinians reach truce agreement     MESSAGE BOARD Mideast peace     RESOURCES Mideast struggle for peace Key Players

"We are focused on the diplomatic initiative to implement Sharm el-Sheikh, and that's been making some progress," Siewert said.

Siewert made his comments shortly after a suspected car bomb exploded at a busy thoroughfare behind West Jerusalem's main Mahane Yehuda outdoor market.

Two people were killed, according to Israeli police. Nine people were reported injured in the blast.

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