Obama and Netanyahu to meet on Mideast peace talks
WASHINGTON, July 6 Xinhua (AP Jiang Guopeng) 6th U.S. President Barack Obama in the White House talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the two sides wish to promote Middle East peace process, while the United States were tense for repair Israeli relations.
Obama after the talks at a joint press conference, said: "We hope (Palestinian) into indirect negotiations to direct negotiations." In view of Israel announced in November last year, the West Bank Jewish settlements Construction of 10-month freeze period will expire in September this year, Obama wants to Palestine and Israel in September prior to the start of direct negotiations.
Obama to Israel's recent relaxation of the blockade of the Gaza Strip, expressed appreciation for the decision. He said he believed Netanyahu wants peace and is willing to take risks for peace.
Obama reiterated commitment to Israel's security. The Israeli concerns about Iran's nuclear program, Obama said the United States would "continue to pressure Iran to comply with international obligations and allowed to stop threatening its neighbors and the international community's provocative behavior."
Netanyahu offered to the Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas face to face talks. He said: "I think it is time for the start of direct negotiations. I think that in the help of President Obama, President Abbas and I should begin direct negotiations for peace, security and prosperity to reach a political settlement program. "
local media that the two leaders would try to talk to the outside world that, once strained US-Israeli relations have returned to normal.
2008 年 12 end of the Gaza Strip, Israel launched code-named "cast lead action" large-scale military attack, the Palestinian Authority announced the suspension of peace talks with Israel to protest Israeli-Palestinian peace talks this interruption.
since taking office, Obama has been trying to achieve in the Middle East peace process achievements. Through the good offices of the U.S. long-term, U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell on March 8 announced that the two sides agreed to hold a period of 4 months of indirect negotiations. However, only a day after the Israeli Ministry of Interior will announce that it has approved the Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, 1,600 new housing units. This event caused by the impact of US-Israel relations, indirect peace talks almost aborted. After the pressure and hard work in the United States, Palestine and Israel in early May agreed to launch indirect peace talks.
