Obama to Israel: our alliance is eternal

Obama to Israel: our alliance is eternal
March 20, 2013 - 15:52 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama has arrived in Israel for his first trip there as president, saying the U.S. was proud to stand by Israel as its strongest ally, BBC News reported.

After landing in Tel Aviv, Obama also referred to the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, saying "peace must come to the Holy Land".

U.S. officials have tried to lower expectations of any significant headway on restarting the peace process.

Syria, and Iran's nuclear ambitions are expected to loom large in talks.

Obama was welcomed at Ben Gurion airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Shimon Peres.

After being introduced to Israeli ministers and dignitaries, Obama said the U.S. would "never lose sight of an Israel at peace with its neighbors". He added: "The United States stands with Israel because it is in our fundamental security interests to stand with Israel. Our alliance is eternal. It is forever."

Netanyahu said, for his part: "Thank you for defending Israel's right to unequivocally defend its right to exist."

Obama is due to hold separate talks with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his three-day visit.

Partner news
 Top stories
Kerry, Lavrov to discuss Syria in ParisKerry, Lavrov to discuss Syria in Paris
U.S. officials say they want to advance efforts to start talks between the Syrian government and opposition leaders.
Damascus agrees to attend int’l conference in GenevaDamascus agrees to attend int’l conference in Geneva
The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
Obama nominates Victoria Nuland for assistant secretary of stateObama nominates Victoria Nuland for assistant secretary of state
Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post.
Syrian opposition leader urges Assad to hand power, go abroadSyrian opposition leader urges Assad to hand power, go abroad
Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament.
Partner news
 Articles
Switzerland being filled with wealthy citizens of Kazakh origin

One of the most prominent Kazakh citizens, who found refuge on the shores of Lake Geneva - Victor Khrapunov and his family.

 Most popular in the section
Islamist group Boko Haram camps destroyed in Nigeria
Syrian forces storming rebel stronghold of Qusair
Prosecutor in Berlusconi sex trial gets letter with bullets
Germans blame Merkel’s stance in eurozone crisis for Eurovision debacle
Home
All news
Overview: World
Archive for March 20, 2013
Other news in this section
 Latest news
Israeli security expert says Syrian hacker attack foiled Israel refuses to comment on the strike but officials at the time said Iranian missiles set for Hezbollah were hit.
Gyumri to host Europe Day celebrations The celebrations will feature a small information fair, with EU project representatives to brief the visitors on the initiatives launched.
1st Armenian interactive fairy tale available for iPhone/iPod Touch The tale sparked great interest in Diaspora. Such projects, namely interactive version of “Alice in Wonderland”, are popular abroad.
Expert says Russian FM’s remarks in context of Madrid Principles No decisive developments will follow the meeting between Russian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, David Jamalyan said.