WASHINGTON — Reaching peace in the Middle East is more urgent than ever as pro-democracy uprisings rock the Arab world, President Barack Obama said Tuesday after meeting his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres.
"We had an extensive discussion about what has happened in the Middle East," Obama told reporters, adding that the two leaders shared the belief that this was a moment of "challenge and opportunity."
"With the winds of change blowing through the Arab world, it is more important than ever to create a peaceful solution between the Palestinians and the Israelis," Obama said.
The US leader added that Peres "had interesting ideas around those issues" but did not elaborate, saying only that it was important to ensure economic opportunity as well as nurture democracy in countries such as Egypt.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hRcIcGuqpJx7rRU9KWRiiA53etTQ?docId=CNG.bdcc466199b06633a4adfe1136197b8b.3b1I don't know if I would say Peres is Obama's counterpart. President of Israel isn't exactly equivalent to President of the United States.