Obama: Israel, Palestinians to be held 'accountable'

President Barack Obama has vowed to hold Israel and the Palestinians accountable if either side takes actions that "undermine trust" during US-mediated talks launched this week, the White House said on Tuesday.

Obama made the pledge in a telephone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in which the US leader also urged both parties to "negotiate seriously and in good faith and to move from proximity talks to direct negotiations as soon as possible," the White House said. (Reuters)