WASHINGTON (AP) — New Secretary of State John Kerry will be introducing himself to his agency's employees Monday after spending much of the weekend making connections with leaders around the world.
Kerry reached out to Israeli and Palestinian leaders in phone calls Sunday, assuring them the Obama administration will continue to pursue a Mideast peace agreement while recognizing the individual concerns on both sides.
On a busy first weekend as America's top diplomat, Kerry also spoke with his counterparts in Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Canada and Mexico. He also had lunch with George Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan.
Kerry was sworn in Friday, succeeding Hillary Rodham Clinton in Obama's Cabinet.
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