Obama: “Middle East Peace Initiative Needed”

Wednesday April 06, 2011 15:09 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

U.S. President, Barack Obama, stated on Tuesday that “the wind of change is upon the Middle East”, and that the new changes require a much harder work in order to find a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Image article.wn.com

His statements came during a press conference that followed his meeting with Israeli President, Shimon Peres at the White House.

A White House spokesperson stated that the meeting was designated to regional developments and the accelerating developments in the Arab world.

Obama described Peres as a friend and a peace partner adding that he (Peres) is a friend and a partner to consecutive U.S. Administrations.

On his part, Peres said that Israel believes that what is happening in the Arab world will have a direct impact on Israel and the Palestinians, adding that he believes peace talks can be resumed.

“This is a one-time historic opportunity”, the Israeli President stated, and claimed that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is “serious in acting for peace”.

The two leaders stated that the changes in the Middle East are an opportunity to change the region and could provide an opportunity to end the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

On Monday, Peres held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, and also discussed the latest developments and the efforts to resume direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel insists on its stances regarding what it calls "its right to build settlements" in the occupied territories including in occupied East Jerusalem.

It also rejects the internationally guaranteed Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees, and refuses to hold talks on other main issues such as Jerusalem, natural resources and borders.

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