Continued W.Bank settlements not legitimate: Obama [View All]

Source: AFP

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"The United States does not view continued Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as legitimate, President Barack Obama told the UN General Assembly Wednesday.

"We continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements (in the West Bank)," he said in a maiden speech to the 192-member body.

The US leader made the remarks a day after holding inconclusive talks in New York with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.

Saeb Erakat, chief Palestinian negotiator, welcomed Obama's comments.

"We are encouraged and highly appreciate President Obama's statements on settlements being illegal and calling to an end of the occupation that started in 1967," he told AFP."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090923/wl_afp/undiplomacyusobamamideastsettlements