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Obama firm on Iran nuclear plans Obama firm on Iran nuclear plans
(about 7 hours later)
US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has said the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has said the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
During a visit to the southern Israeli town of Sderot, Mr Obama warned a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to world security. During a two-day visit to Israel and Palestinian territories, Mr Obama warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to world security.
The Illinois senator pledged his commitment to Israeli security and to Middle East peace talks during a two-day visit to the region. He held talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
He has met Israeli leaders as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Illinois senator pledged his "unshakeable commitment" to Israeli security and to peace negotiations in the Middle East.
"A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," said Mr Obama. Hosting the Democratic candidate-in-waiting for dinner, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Mr Obama was following a tradition of the "great friends of Israel".
He added that the global community should offer "big sticks and big carrots" to persuade Iran to halt its nuclear programme. "I know how friendly you are, and I know how much you care for us," he said.
If elected, the Democratic Party candidate said he would take "no options off the table" in dealing with the Islamic republic. 'No retreat'
Iran insists its nuclear aims are peaceful, and in a strongly worded speech on Wednesday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country would not "retreat one iota" in its nuclear activities. Mr Obama earlier said the global community should offer "big sticks and big carrots" to persuade Iran to halt its nuclear programme.
Quick engagement "A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," he said.
Sderot has been the site of frequent Palestinian militant rocket attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
I'm here on this trip to reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States, my abiding commitment to its security Barack Obama Diary: Barack Obama's world tourForeign policy positionsIraq still dominates US electionI'm here on this trip to reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States, my abiding commitment to its security Barack Obama Diary: Barack Obama's world tourForeign policy positionsIraq still dominates US election
Speaking in front of a pile of spent mortar shells, Mr Obama reiterated his view that Jerusalem should be Israel's capital, but insisted the city's final status must be decided through peace talks. If elected, Mr Obama said he would take "no options off the table" in dealing with the Islamic republic.
Iran insists its nuclear aims are peaceful. On Wednesday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran would not "retreat one iota" in its nuclear activities.
Mr Obama was speaking in the Israeli town of Sderot - the target of frequent Palestinian rocket attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Mr Obama reiterated his view that Jerusalem should be Israel's capital, but insisted the city's final status must be decided through peace talks.
He angered the Palestinian leadership last month by saying the city - which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state - should be Israel's "undivided" capital.He angered the Palestinian leadership last month by saying the city - which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state - should be Israel's "undivided" capital.
Earlier, Mr Obama held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, telling him that he would quickly engage in the Middle East peace process were he elected president, an aide to Mr Abbas said. Palestinian appreciation
"Obama confirmed to President Abbas that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process," the aide, Saeb Erekat, told reporters after their meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Also on Wednesday, Mr Obama held talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah, telling him that he would quickly engage in the Middle East peace process were he elected president.
Mr Obama told Mr Abbas he would "not waste a minute" on trying to resolve the Middle East conflict if he was elected president, Mr Erekat said. "Obama confirmed to President Abbas that he will be a constructive partner in the peace process," Palestinian spokesman Saeb Erekat told reporters.
By simply visiting Ramallah, Mr Obama has gained the appreciation of Palestinians and distinguished himself from his Republican rival John McCain, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy, who is travelling with the senator.
Mr McCain did not visit the West Bank during his visit to the region.
Reassure voters
On Wednesday, Mr Obama told Israeli President Shimon Peres he wanted to "reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States, [and] my abiding commitment to its security".
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Barack Obama lays holocaust wreathBarack Obama lays holocaust wreath
Mr Obama told Israeli President Shimon Peres he wanted to "reaffirm the special relationship between Israel and the United States, [and] my abiding commitment to its security".
He said it was "my hope that I can serve as an effective partner, whether as a... senator or as a president, in bringing about a more lasting peace in the region."He said it was "my hope that I can serve as an effective partner, whether as a... senator or as a president, in bringing about a more lasting peace in the region."
Mr Obama has also met with Defence Minister Ehud Barak, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and will later hold talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Mr Obama also met Defence Minister Ehud Barak, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
Wearing a Jewish skullcap, Mr Obama laid a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum. At the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum, the Illinois senator wore a Jewish skullcap as he laid a wreath.
"Let our children come here and know this history so that they can add their voices to proclaim 'never again'," he wrote in the museum's visitors' book."Let our children come here and know this history so that they can add their voices to proclaim 'never again'," he wrote in the museum's visitors' book.
False claimsFalse claims
Mr Obama is in the region to reassure American voters, especially Jewish Democrats, of his foreign policy credentials ahead of November's presidential election, says the BBC's Middle East correspondent Paul Wood.Mr Obama is in the region to reassure American voters, especially Jewish Democrats, of his foreign policy credentials ahead of November's presidential election, says the BBC's Middle East correspondent Paul Wood.
Plans to visit the West Bank generated some goodwill among Palestinians Mr Obama said the ties between the US and Israel were unbreakable
Our correspondent also says he faces a US electorate which includes 10% who think he is a Muslim, according to a recent opinion poll.Our correspondent also says he faces a US electorate which includes 10% who think he is a Muslim, according to a recent opinion poll.
Some also believe he was educated in a madrassa (Islamic religious school) and refused to place his hand on the Bible when sworn into the Senate - all false claims, adds our correspondent.Some also believe he was educated in a madrassa (Islamic religious school) and refused to place his hand on the Bible when sworn into the Senate - all false claims, adds our correspondent.
Mr Obama arrived in Israel on Tuesday night from neighbouring Jordan, where he met King Abdullah.Mr Obama arrived in Israel on Tuesday night from neighbouring Jordan, where he met King Abdullah.
He earlier joined a US congressional delegation on a visit to Iraq, where he met Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar province and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Baghdad.He earlier joined a US congressional delegation on a visit to Iraq, where he met Sunni tribal leaders in Anbar province and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in Baghdad.
He repeated his goal of withdrawing US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months should he become president.He repeated his goal of withdrawing US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months should he become president.
He is due to leave for Germany early on Thursday.He is due to leave for Germany early on Thursday.
Back in the US, Mr McCain said Mr Obama had been wrong to press for withdrawal timetables.Back in the US, Mr McCain said Mr Obama had been wrong to press for withdrawal timetables.
Are you in Israel or the Palestinian territories? Are you following Obama's world tour?Are you in Israel or the Palestinian territories? Are you following Obama's world tour?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
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