Obama urges Netanyahu to pursue talks with Palestinians

Washington, July 19: US President Barack Obama Thursday urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pursue peace talks with the Palestinians.

During their phone conversation, Obama "encouraged" the Israeli leader to continue to work with US Secretary of State John Kerry "to resume negotiations with the Palestinians as soon as possible", reported Xinhua citing the White House.

In his latest and sixth foray into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process that started Monday, Kerry won endorsement from the Arab League for his proposals about a resumption of direct talks between the two sides.

In a statement issued Wednesday after its meeting with Kerry in the Jordanian capital of Amman, the Arab delegation said Kerry' s ideas "constitute a good ground and suitable environment for restarting the negotiations, especially the new and important political, economic and security elements".

IANS