Netanyahu may endorse Palestinian state on US trip

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defence minister has suggested that Netanyahu might endorse a Palestinian state when he meets US President Barack Obama.

Senior White House officials said Obama's meeting with Netanyahu on Monday is "part of his commitment that he's made since day one of the administration to pursue comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians."

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said that he thought an agreement with the Palestinians could be achieved within three years.

"I think and believe that Netanyahu will tell Obama this government is prepared to go for a political process that will result in two peoples living side by side in peace and mutual respect," Barak told Channel 2 TV.

However, he did not use the word "state", leaving open other options for Netanyahu.