Washington, March 26, SPA -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday night reiterated his commitment to seeing a two-state solution for the Palestinians and the Israelis take fruition. Answering a question from a reporter on the issue during his second ever prime-time televised White House press conference, Obama said that it is “not easier than it was” before to work for a two-state solution after Israel’s February elections. With the tentative naming of Binyamin Netanyahu as Israeli Prime-Minister-Designate, who is largely opposed to a two-state solution, Obama said creating peace is “not easier than it was, but I think it’s just as necessary.” But, he also said that assertions should not be made just yet, as a concrete naming of the Israeli government has not been laid out yet. “What we do know is this,” Obama said, “that the status quo is unsustainable; that it is critical for us to advance a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in their own states with peace and security.” He touted his decision to name George Mitchell as Special Envoy to the region, saying that signaled that he’s “going to be serious from day one in trying to move the parties in a direction that acknowledges that reality.” While he said he did not know how effective the negotiations will be, he cited the recent visit of the “previously sworn enemies” from Northern Ireland who were celebrating together in the White House for the Saint Patrick’s Day holiday, saying that all tensions can be resolved. He also said that as long as he is in office, he will stress “persistence” in accomplishing his goals, with relation both domestic and foreign issues. Obama quickly plugged his recent video message that he aired in celebration of the Persian New Year, Nowruz. “We did a video sending a message to the Iranian people and the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And some people said, well, they did not immediately say that we’re eliminating nuclear weapons and stop funding terrorism. Well, we didn’t expect that.” “We expect that we’re going to make steady progress on this front,” Obama said, urging patience, adding that “we’re not immediately going to get Middle East peace. We’ve been in office now a little over 60 days.” --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/648130