Washington, July 03, 2011, SPA -- The White House insisted Friday that U.S.-mediated indirect “proximity” talks were making progress. President Barack Obama’s Middle East director Daniel Shapiro said the proximity talks “have made progress and the gaps have been narrowed.” Washington sees the proximity talks brokered by U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell as an interim step toward full direct talks between the two sides. “It is hard to put a precise timeline on when that step could be taken,” Shapiro said. “But we are encouraged by the progress that has been made.” --SPA 10:51 LOCAL TIME 07:51 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/798442