Obama and Netanyahu urge direct Mid-East peace talks

Washington, 07 July-(ANA)-US President Barack Obama has urged the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct peace talks before a settlement freeze expires in September.

He spoke after talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it was "high time" for direct talks.

The two leaders also played down any suggestion of a rift between the US and Israel, with Mr Obama saying the bond was "unbreakable".

Mr Obama praised Israel for announcing it would ease its Gaza Strip blockade.

The US president said he hoped direct peace talks would resume "well before" Israel's 10-month moratorium on building new settlements in the West Bank expired at the end of September.

The Israeli prime minister has been under pressure from his right-wing coalition not to cave in to US calls to extend the freeze.

"I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu wants peace. I think he is willing to take risks for peace," said Mr Obama.

Mr Netanyahu said steps were being taken in the coming days and weeks to further the peace process, but he gave no further details.

The Palestinians withdrew from direct negotiations after Israel launched the Operation Cast Lead offensive in Gaza in late 2008.

Scheduled indirect talks were called off in March this year when Israel approved plans for 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want the capital of their future state.(ANA)

FA/ANA/07 July 2010--------