This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8055105.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Obama presses Netanyahu over two-state plan Obama presses Netanyahu over two-state plan
(30 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has urged visiting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a Palestinian state.US President Barack Obama has urged visiting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a Palestinian state.
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".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".
He also said Israel had an obligation under the 2003 "roadmap" to stop Jewish settlement in the West Bank.He also said Israel had an obligation under the 2003 "roadmap" to stop Jewish settlement in the West Bank.
Mr Netanyahu said he was ready to start peace talks "immediately" but refrained from endorsing a Palestinian state.Mr Netanyahu said he was ready to start peace talks "immediately" but refrained from endorsing a Palestinian state.
He said Israel was ready to live "side-by-side" with Palestinians. The BBC Kim Ghattas in Washington says a two-state solution based on independent class="inlineText" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6669545.stm">Palestinian statehood is a goal strongly backed by the US and key Arab nations.
After their meeting in Washington, Mr Obama said:
"I suggested to the prime minister that he has a historic opportunity to get a serious movement" on Palestinian statehood.
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
Mr Netanyahu said Israel was ready to live "side-by-side" with Palestinians.
He also said he was ready to resume talks immediately but said any agreement depended on Palestinian acceptance of Israel's right to exist "as a Jewish state".
"I want to make it clear that we don't want to govern the Palestinians. We want to live in peace with them, we want them to govern themselves, absent a handful of powers that can endanger the state of Israel."
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
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. Message to Washington
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 to stop Jewish settlement activity.
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 approaches
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.
A two-state solution based on independent Palestinian statehood is a goal strongly backed by the US and key Arab nations.
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.