Visiting U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama vowed in Amman Tuesday to admit the difficulties facing Palestinians and actively involve in the Middle East peace process if elected in November.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (C) speaks during a news conference at the Amman Citadel, an ancient Roman landmark, in Amman, Jordan, July 22, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
He made the remarks during a press conference after arriving in Jordan's capital of Amman, the third stop in his high-profile Mideast and Europe tour.
Obama also backed the two-state solution, which will see an independent Palestinian state living side by side with a secure Israel.
However the senator in the meanwhile said that "The U.S. will always remain a strong ally of Israel, whether he or his Republican rival John McCain won the election."
During his stay in Jordan, a bulldozer went on a rampage in Jerusalem, injuring at least 16 people. Obama strongly condemned the attack, saying he "will always support Israel in confronting terrorism and pursuing lasting peace and security."
Obama met later with Jordan's King Abdullah II Tuesday evening. The King stressed in the talks that securing an independent Palestinian statehood is key to a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and asserted that more American support would foster Arab-U.S. relations and bolster U.S. credibility in the region.
U.S Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (R) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai walk at the presidential palace in Kabul July 20, 2008. Obama promised long-term support to Afghanistan when he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the Presidential Palace on Sunday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)