Obama calls for new effort for 2-state solution

President Barack Obama called Friday for a redoubling of efforts toward separate Israeli and Palestinian states, saying "The moment is now for us to act on what we all know to be the truth."

The president added that he was confident serious progress could be made this year on the peace process in the Middle East. "I am confident that if we stick to it, having started early, we can make some serious progress this year," Obama said.

"After meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, the US president said: "The United States can't force peace upon the parties. But what we've tried to do is clear away some of the misunderstandings."

He said the entire international community is going to have to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace. But he said the ultimate responsibility lies with the two groups.

Turning his attention to the issue of a settlement freeze, Obama said he is aware the subject received great attention, but noted that the US was merely asking Israel to adhere to previous commitments. The president also noted that he is aware of the great domestic political difficulties associated with this issue in Israel.

"With the new US administration and Obama, we have a unique opportunity to revive this...peace process," Merkel said

Obama noted that he's seen "some progress" in bringing stability to the world in the wake of the deep recession that has crisscrossed the continents in recent months, and said he and Merkel agreed that they must continue to "work very closely together" to restore their economies and those of other nations as well.

Obama also said he has not asked for any commitments from Germany as the United States seeks to close the US Prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and determines what to do with the terrorism suspects there.