Obama still hopes for two-state Israel-Palestinian solution
President Barack Obama said he has not given up hope for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but noted that simmering tensions in the region and "serious questions" about overall commitment have stifled progress. In a wide-ranging interview Tuesday with the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Ashaq al-Awsat, Obama said he expects the new Israeli government and the Palestinians to demonstrate a genuine commitment to a two-state solution. He dismissed reports that the absence of Gulf rulers from the Camp David summit he convened for Wednesday was a snub and put a damper on talks for strengthening security ties with the US and GCC. Of the six participating Gulf nations, only the emirs of Kuwait and Qatar will be present. Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman will send senior officials and not heads of state.