U.S President Barack Obama has pressed a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, but failed to win a public commitment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjiamin Netanyahu.

In their first White House talks on Monday, Obama urged Netanyahu to freeze building Jewish settlements. But Obama sought to reassure Israelis wary about his overtures to Iran that he would not wait indefinitely for diplomatic progress toward curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Barack Obama, U.S President, said, "It is, I believe, in the interests not only of the Palestinians but also the Israelis and the United States and the international community to achieve a two-state solution in which Israelis and Palestinians are living side by side in peace and security."

The two leaders tried to paper over their differences, as Obama waded into Middle East diplomacy. But the divisions were hard to ignore. Netanyahu reiterated that he supported self-government for the Palestinians.

Benjiamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "We don't want to govern the Palestinians. We want to live in peace with them. We want them to govern themselves."

Netanyahu's efforts to set aside any negotiations with the Palestinians on tough issues, such as borders and the future of Jewish settlements, could cause friction in traditionally strong U.S.-Israeli relations.

Despite diverging views, Obama and Netanyahu, meeting for the first time since both took office, avoided any fireworks at the talks.

(CCTV May 20, 2009)