IDADI YA WATU WALIOSOMA HABARI HII: JERUSALEM – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. will "vigorously" pursue the creation of a Palestinian state.

Clinton is making her first visit to the Mideast as the top U.S. diplomat. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, she said pursuit of a peace agreement that includes a Palestinian state "seems inescapable."

Clinton says the U.S. "will be vigorously engaged in the pursuit of a two-state solution every step of the way."

She spoke alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni ahead of a meeting later in the day with Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu's criticism in the past of peace talks with the Palestinians and the possibility of Palestinian independence has raised concerns that his new government could clash with the U.S.