Obama: US, Jordan To Consult Closely On Mideast

Published January 17, 2012 8:27PM (EST)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S. will consult closely with Jordan to encourage Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate in a "serious fashion" to find peace.

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Jordan's King Abdullah II, Obama said he appreciated Jordan's leadership on the stalled peace effort.

Jordan has hosted three meetings this month between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as they look for a way to move forward on the talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged this week that the Palestinians have no interest in restarting negotiations, suggesting that the Jordan talks are producing little progress.

Abdullah said talks were in their early stages and interested parties should keep their fingers crossed.


By Salon Staff

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