Obama calls for Mid-East urgency

Washington, 23 Sept-(ANA)-US President Barack Obama has called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to act with "urgency" and restart peace talks.

Mr Obama spoke after hosting the first meeting between leaders from both sides since he took office.

US Middle-East envoy George Mitchell later said the US did not see any issue as a precondition for talks.

The US has been pressuring Israel to comply with Palestinian demands for all building in settlements in the occupied West Bank to end before talks restart.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas shook hands in front of the cameras during what was their first encounter since Mr Netanyahu came to office in March. (ANA)

FA/ANA/23 September 2009---