The White House on Thursday said that U.S. President Barack Obama is “encouraged” by the direct talks that began on Wednesday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Washington. “The talks are ongoing,” Gibbs said to reporters in the White House, adding that “the president was encouraged…by the very serious attitude” of the leaders, saying that they all are ready to seize this “tremendous opportunity” for peace. “Each of the leaders was genuine and serious about seeking peace.” “There are still deep divisions [between the two leaders]…that's not going to be wiped away in one meeting,” he said. “We have always maintained that peace was in the best interest for” countries in the region, as well as the United States, the spokesman added.
