White House: Obama eager to work with Israel

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-12 10:30

WASHINGTON -- The White House praised Israeli elections as a sign of a strong democracy, but a spokesman also said Wednesday that until a new prime minister is named, it is unclear what the results mean for peace in the Middle East.

US President Barack Obama looks forward to working with the next prime minister of the US ally, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.

A few thousand soldiers' votes remained uncounted. Moderate Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni's Kadima Party had a one-seat advantage over hard-line Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party in parliament. But Likud's natural allies among the hawkish and Orthodox Jewish parties have a clear majority of 65 in the 120-seat parliament after Tuesday's elections.

"President Obama looks forward to working with whoever makes up that next Israeli government in a search for lasting and durable peace in the region," Gibbs said. "Like our own democracy, I think whether it's turbulent or tumultuous times or bad weather, did not seem to deter millions from voting yesterday. I think that's the sign and strength of a strong democracy."

Livni and Netanyahu offer vastly different approaches when it comes to peacemaking with the Palestinians: Livni supports giving up territory to make room for a Palestinian state, while Netanyahu has said he considers current US-backed Mideast peace talks a waste of time.

Gibbs declined to forecast an impact on US Envoy George Mitchell's mission to the region.

"But until we see something more definitive, it's hard to talk specifics, except to say that the president, as you've heard him say many times, is anxious to work with Israel and those in the region to form that lasting endurable peace," Gibbs said.

Also Wednesday, Obama spoke with Israeli President Shimon Peres. The White House said the two leaders talked about democratic examples they set for the world. Obama also complimented Peres on a recent newspaper column reaffirming his commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.