Obama urges UN to back peace talks

United States President Barack Obama challenged United Nations member countries to unite around peace efforts that could achieve agreement within a year to create an independent Palestine and a secure Israel.

Mr Obama, in a speech to the UN General Assembly, urged fellow world leaders to press forward with renewed determination in the quest for Middle East peace, an effort that he acknowledged has encountered "few peaks and many valleys".

Without an agreement, he said, "more blood will be shed" and "this Holy Land will remain a symbol of our differences, instead of our common humanity".

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In the Middle East senior Palestinian officials said their side would consider an expected compromise on Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank, improving hopes of averting a breakdown in peace talks.

A 10-month-old Israeli slowdown on settlement building – a near-halt to new projects – was aimed at coaxing the Palestinians into talks with the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The restrictions expire on Sunday.Mr Obama, in his second address to the world body, spoke of the need to address trouble spots around the world, but first attended to economic concerns that both at home and abroad.

"There is much to show for our efforts," he said, recalling the economic turmoil of years past.

"We cannot – and will not – rest until these seeds of progress grow into a broader prosperity for all Americans and for people around globe."

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Mr Obama defended his administration's approach to engaging Iran in negotiations over its nuclear programme – an effort that has failed so far.

In July the administration imposed a new set of sanctions on Iran. "The door remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it," he said.

"But the Iranian government must demonstrate a clear and credible commitment and confirm to the world the peaceful intent of its nuclear programme."

Iran recently has indicated interest in restarting talks with the West, and yesterday the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany offered Iran another chance to enter negotiations.

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned yesterday of growing political polarisation and social inequalities and implored UN members to show greater tolerance and mutual respect to bring the world together.

In his keynote speech to the opening of the General Assembly's annual ministerial meeting, the UN chief told leaders from the 192-member nations that "today, we are being tested".

Mr Ban said people everywhere were living in fear of losing their jobs, too many are caught in conflict, "and we see a new politics at work – a politics of polarisation".

"We hear the language of hate, false divisions between 'them' and 'us,' those who insist on their way or no way,' he said.

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In times of such polarisation and uncertainty, Mr Ban said, "let us remember, the world still looks to the United Nations for moral and political leadership".

The Secretary-General also touched on many other global issues – including calling on Israel and the Palestinians not to take any action that would hold back progress on peace talks.