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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Obama 'confident' on two-state solution | Obama 'confident' on two-state solution |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama says he is confident that Israel will recognise that a two-state solution is in the best interests of its security. | US President Barack Obama says he is confident that Israel will recognise that a two-state solution is in the best interests of its security. |
| Speaking after White House talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Obama again urged Israel to freeze settlement expansion. | Speaking after White House talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Obama again urged Israel to freeze settlement expansion. |
| Israel has insisted it will allow existing settlements to expand, despite pressure from Washington. | Israel has insisted it will allow existing settlements to expand, despite pressure from Washington. |
| President Obama also said Palestinians must rein in anti-Israeli violence. | President Obama also said Palestinians must rein in anti-Israeli violence. |
| For his part, Mr Abbas said he was committed to all obligations under the Mid-East peace plan "roadmap". | For his part, Mr Abbas said he was committed to all obligations under the Mid-East peace plan "roadmap". |
| However, without a halt to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinians have said there can be no progress towards peace. | However, without a halt to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinians have said there can be no progress towards peace. |
| 'Israel's interests' | |
| Mr Obama said he was a "strong believer in a two-state solution" and believed Israel would recognise that it was in the best interests of its long-term security. | |
| He said it was important for all countries, but particularly Arab states, to be supportive of the two-state solution. | |
| "I am confident that we can move this forward if all parties are ready to meet their obligations," he said. | |
| Israel and the US disagree over Jewish settlements in the West Bank | |
| Mr Abbas said the need for progress in the stalled process was urgent, adding: "Time is of the essence." | |
| President Obama said he had been "very clear" in his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week on the need to "stop settlements". | |
| Mr Netanyahu later said no new settlements would be built but natural growth in existing settlements should be allowed. | |
| The White House meeting between the two leaders is part of an effort by the Obama administration to restart stalled peace talks. | The White House meeting between the two leaders is part of an effort by the Obama administration to restart stalled peace talks. |
| Mr Obama has already met King Abdullah of Jordan and Mr Netanyahu. He plans to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on 4 June. |