Obama to Israel: our alliance is eternalMarch 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. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |