Obama says the time for talk has passed on Middle East

US President Barack ObamaNew York  - US President Barack Obama sought to revive a stalled Middle East peace process Tuesday, telling both sides they must commit to starting real negotiations.

Obama's call for progress towards a final solution came after a three-way meeting in New York with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"It is past time to start talking about negotiations," Obama said. "The permanent status negotiations must begin and must begin soon."

"My message to these two leaders is clear: Despite all the obstacles, despite the history ... we have to summon the will to break the deadlock," Obama said.

The meeting took place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan after Obama had separate meetings with Netanyahu and Abbas. But the gathering occurred without an agreement by both sides to restart peace talks.  dpa