Obama tries to kickstart Middle East peace deal

Barack Obama urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to "find a way forward" as he held his first three-way meeting with them.

As he attempted to re-start the Middle East Peace deal, the US president held talks in New York with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.

"It is past time to talk about starting negotiations," Mr Obama said. "It is time to move forward." Mr Obama said Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas had "worked tirelessly" for a settlement. But he said neither had done enough.

He said the Palestinians must do more to halt terrorism and "stop incitement". He told the Israelis that their talks on reining in building of Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories had to be turned into "real action". Mr Obama shook each of their hands at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and, after some prompting, the two foes reluctantly shook hands, but neither made any comment prior to the 40-minute talks.

Mr Obama arranged the meeting while the leaders were in New York to attend the UN general assembly.