Merkel: No alternative to 2-state Mideast solution

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that there isn't an alternative to a two-state peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Merkel, speaking a day before new Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman visits Berlin, also said progress in the stalled Middle East peace process would make it easier to resolve the long-running standoff over Iran's nuclear program. (AP)