Palestinians see Obama statehood comments encouraging

An aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday US President Barack Obama's commitment to a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict was encouraging.

After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, Obama said it was in the interests of both Israel and the Palestinians "to achieve a two-state solution". "The statements by Mr. Obama are encouraging while those by Prime Minister Netanyahu are disappointing," senior Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rdainah said. (Reuters)