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Israel's PM wants 'immediate' peace talks Obama presses Netanyahu over two-state plan
(30 minutes later)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is ready to start peace negotiations with Palestinians "immediately". US President Barack Obama has urged visiting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a Palestinian state.
He was speaking after talks with US President Barack Obama at the White House - the first since their election. After their first talks since both took office, Mr Obama restated his support for a two-state plan and said the US would be "engaged in the process".
Mr Obama reaffirmed US support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and said the US would be "engaged" in the process. He also said Israel had an obligation under the 2003 "roadmap" to stop Jewish settlement in the West Bank.
Without mentioning a Palestinian state, Mr Netanyahu said Israel was ready to live "side-by-side" with Palestinians. Mr Netanyahu said he was ready to start peace talks "immediately" but refrained from endorsing a Palestinian state.
President Obama also said Israel had a clear obligation - under the so-called "roadmap" - to stop building Jewish settlements in the West Bank "in order for us to move forward". He said Israel was ready to live "side-by-side" with Palestinians.
"That's a difficult issue, I recognise that, but it's an important one and it has to be addressed," the president said.
The two leaders also discussed Iran during their talks, lasting more than two hours.The two leaders also discussed Iran during their talks, lasting more than two hours.
Mr Obama said "it is not in Iran's interest" to develop nuclear arms, and that the US would keep options open.Mr Obama said "it is not in Iran's interest" to develop nuclear arms, and that the US would keep options open.
He stressed that "we should have some sense by the end of the year" on whether talks with Iran were bearing fruit.He stressed that "we should have some sense by the end of the year" on whether talks with Iran were bearing fruit.
Mr Netanyahu will also have to contend with a new, popular American leader who made Palestinian statehood and peace in the Middle East one of his top foreign policy priorities BBC's Kim Ghattas Israeli PM faces tough talks in US Mr Netanyahu will also have to contend with a new, popular American leader who made Palestinian statehood and peace in the Middle East one of his top foreign policy priorities BBC's Kim Ghattas Israeli PM faces tough talks in US
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.
Amid reports from Israel that the authorities were moving ahead with plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, Mr Obama said Israel had an obligation under the road-map peace plan agreed in 2003, that Jewish settlements had to be stopped.Amid reports from Israel that the authorities were moving ahead with plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, Mr Obama said Israel had an obligation under the road-map peace plan agreed in 2003, that Jewish settlements had to be stopped.
Tenders have been issued to build 20 housing units in Maskiot, a former Israeli military base that has been designated for housing settlers removed from Gaza in 2005.Tenders have been issued to build 20 housing units in Maskiot, a former Israeli military base that has been designated for housing settlers removed from Gaza in 2005.
Israeli campaign group Peace Now says this is a clear message to Washington that the Israeli government intends to expand settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.Israeli campaign group Peace Now says this is a clear message to Washington that the Israeli government intends to expand settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
Differing approachesDiffering 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".
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.
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.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.He returns to Israel on Tuesday evening.