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| Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Obama | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is due at the White House for his first meeting with US President Barack Obama. | Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is due at the White House for his first meeting with US President Barack Obama. |
| The two leaders will discuss an array of Middle Eastern issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions. | The two leaders will discuss an array of Middle Eastern issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions. |
| Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has hinted that Mr Netanyahu may be ready to endorse a peace process leading to an independent Palestinian state. | Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has hinted that Mr Netanyahu may be ready to endorse a peace process leading to an independent Palestinian state. |
| But PM Netanyahu's spokesman said Iran will top his agenda for the talks. | But PM Netanyahu's spokesman said Iran will top his agenda for the talks. |
| "As things are planned, Mr class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/2393677.stm">Netanyahu will focus on the subject of a nuclear Iran," his national security adviser, Uzi Arad, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. | |
| "The prime minister will emphatically emphasize the element of urgency," said Mr Arad. | "The prime minister will emphatically emphasize the element of urgency," said Mr Arad. |
| Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran was a threat to its existence. | Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran was a threat to its existence. |
| The Obama administration, meanwhile, is trying to promote dialogue with both Iran and Syria, and US officials have reiterated their backing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. | |
| Differing approaches | Differing approaches |
| On Sunday, Ehud Barak told Israeli TV a Palestinian peace deal could be struck within three years. | On Sunday, Ehud Barak told Israeli TV a Palestinian peace deal could be struck within three years. |
| "The Arabs say 'two states,' [and] I don't see a reason why Netanyahu would not say that at the end of an accord... there will be two peoples living side by side in peace and mutual respect," he said. | "The Arabs say 'two states,' [and] I don't see a reason why Netanyahu would not say that at the end of an accord... there will be two peoples living side by side in peace and mutual respect," he said. |
| Mr Netanyahu has so far been unwilling to endorse a two-state solution, saying only he wants a "fresh approach". | Mr Netanyahu has so far been unwilling to endorse a two-state solution, saying only he wants a "fresh approach". |
| A two-state solution based on independent Palestinian statehood is a goal strongly backed by the US and key Arab nations. | A two-state solution based on independent Palestinian statehood is a goal strongly backed by the US and key Arab nations. |
| Although Israel's long-standing relationship with the US remains strong, analysts say Mr Netanyahu is likely to find himself under pressure from the US president. | Although Israel's long-standing relationship with the US remains strong, analysts say Mr Netanyahu is likely to find himself under pressure from the US president. |
| The two leaders are due to give a brief press conference after their morning meeting, before breaking for a private luncheon with their wives. | |
| Following the White House summit, Mr Netanyahu will hold talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and members of Congress. | |
| He returns to Israel on Tuesday evening. |