Netanyahu, Obama to confront differences over Mideast policy

Washington: The leaders of the United States and Israel will sit down Monday to discuss an array of Mideast issues on which they disagree: peacemaking with the Palestinians and US efforts to promote dialogue with the once-shunned Iran and Syria.

Senior White House officials say President Barack Obama's meeting with Netanyahu is part of his commitment to pursue a comprehensive peace that includes a two-state solution.

Netanyahu confidant Zalman Shoval, a former ambassador to the US, recently said the Israeli leader would ask the US to give Iran a deadline of "a very few months" to comply with international demands to halt its enrichment of uranium.

According to a Newsweek magazine interview published Saturday, Obama said he understood Israel's concerns over Tehran.