Obama-Netanyahu Meeting Ends, Leaders Restate Positions on Mideast Peace
By VOA News  18 May 2009

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) meets with US President Barak Obama at White House (Israeli Gov handout photo) 18 May 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ended their first White House meeting by restating their positions on Middle East peace.

The Reuters news agency quotes Mr. Obama as reaffirming his commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Reuters quotes Mr. Netanyahu as saying Israel wants the Palestinians to be able to govern themselves. But, he made no reference to an independent Palestinian state.

Ahead of the talks, Israel's national security advisor (Uzi Arad) acknowledged that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama have "some differences" regarding how Israel should seek peace with the Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wants Mr. Obama to pressure Israel to accept a two-state solution and stop construction in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Mr. Obama's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, has said a two-state solution should entail "a Palestinian state living in peace alongside the Jewish state of Israel."

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

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