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Netanyahu and Obama begin key talks in US Obama reaffirms two-state Mid-East support
(about 3 hours later)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has begun his first meeting with US President Barack Obama at the White House. US President Barack Obama has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The two leaders are expected to discuss an array of Middle Eastern issues, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear ambitions. He was speaking after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has hinted that Mr Netanyahu may be ready to endorse a peace process leading to an independent Palestinian state. Mr Netanyahu said he was ready to start peace talks with Palestinians "immediately", but made no mention of a separate Palestinian state.
But PM Netanyahu's spokesman said Iran will top his agenda for the talks. He also said Palestinians would have to recognise Israel "as a Jewish state".
"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 earlier as saying by Reuters news agency. Touching on the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, President Obama said he believed "it is not in Iran's interest to develop nuclear weapons".
He said the US would keep options open - but "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
"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. 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.
In a separate development, reports from Israel suggest the authorities there are moving ahead with plans to expand a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.
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".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.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.