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.
