Obama downplays Mideast peace breakthrough expectationsMarch 8, 2013 - 11:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama told American Jewish leaders Thursday, March 7 that near-term prospects for Mideast peace may be bleak, but a deal with the Palestinians remains the only way for Israel to achieve long-term security, AP reported. Obama said he has no intention of delivering a "grand peace plan" when he travels to the Mideast later this month, downplaying expectations for a breakthrough on his highly anticipated visit to Israel and the West Bank. However, he said that doesn't preclude him from launching such an effort in the coming months, according to a person who attended the hourlong private White House meeting. The White House has not publicly announced the dates for the president's trip, though Israeli news media have reported he will arrive on March 20. Obama will also make stops in Ramallah and Jordan. In his meeting Thursday, Obama acknowledged that he would be visiting Israel during a difficult political period for the U.S. ally. Elections in January weakened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has since struggled to form a coalition government. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |