WASHINGTON, May 17 (RIA Novosti) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Sunday for talks with the United States president on a new Mideast peace road map.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted an aide to the prime minister as saying Netanyahu is unlikely to endorse the establishment of a Palestinian state at the meeting with Barack Obama, to be held in the White House on Monday.
The visit follows Netanyahu's trips to Egypt and Jordan, countries that, along with the United States, have urged Israel to agree to a two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The aide said that any peace agreement would oblige the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a nation-state.
In contrast to the official's comments, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak suggested on Saturday that Netanyahu could agree to a compromise on Palestinian statehood.
"I believe Netanyahu is ready for a process whose end is two states for two peoples," the Labor party chairman told Israel's Channel 2.
"Even Netanyahu understands that the ultimate end of the process is two peoples living side by side in peace and security," he said.
At the White House talks, the leaders are also likely to discuss Iran, and its role in the peace process.
