Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States is continuing to work with the international community to bring about a "durable and sustainable" cease-fire in the Mideast.

Rice gave an update on American mediation efforts to reporters gathered in the White House driveway Friday morning after she had a meeting with President George W. Bush and other administration officials there.

She told reporters, "Obviously, the United States is very concerned about the situation there and is working very hard with our partners around the world."

“We are working toward a ceasefire that would not allow a re-establishment of a status quo ante where Hamas can continue to launch rockets out of Gaza," she said.

Bush returned to Washington on Thursday afternoon from a holiday stay at his Texas ranch. Both he and Rice have been telephoning a host of world leaders in recent days in the wake of new hostilities between Israel and the Hamas organization that rules Gaza.