WASHINGTON, May 29 (RIA Novosti) - The U.S. president
reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict at a meeting with the Palestinian
leader, and urged Israel to end settlement expansion in the
West Bank.
Barack Obama's meeting with Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday
afternoon came 10 days after his talks with Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has refused to commit to
ending the construction of Jewish outposts in the occupied West
Bank.
Obama told reporters after the discussions: "As I've said
before, I've been a strong believer in a two-state solution
that would provide the Israelis and Palestinians the peace and
security that they need."
"We are a stalwart ally of Israel and it is in our
interests to assure that Israel is safe and secure. It is our
belief that the best way to achieve that is to create the
conditions on the ground and set the stage for a Palestinian
state as well."
He said that Israel's obligations under the roadmap for
peace includes stopping settlements, and "making sure that
there is a viable potential Palestinian state."
Abbas said that as well as discussing settlements, he had
presented his ideas for a revised peace plan, to involve other
Arab states. The plan is based on a 2002 Saudi peace plan
calling for the exchange of Arab lands occupied by Israel in
the 1967 war.
The Palestinian leader said that "time is of the essence"
in the peace process.
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