US President Barack Obama called on Arab nations to do more to support the Palestinian government in the West Bank and to move toward normalizing relations with Israel, dpa reported.
In a speech at the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, Obama called on all nations to support the Middle East peace process and the direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians that began earlier this month for the first time in nearly two years.
"Many in this hall count themselves as friends of the Palestinians," Obama said. "But these pledges must now be supported by deeds."
He called on the world to not allow terrorism or turbulence to disrupt the negotiations, and called on both sides to cast aside "petty politics" and old arguments to make this opportunity for peace successful.
"We can waste more time by carrying forward an argument that will not help a single Israeli or Palestinian child achieve a better life. We can do that," he said.
"Or, we can say that this time will be different - that this time we will not let terror, or turbulence, or posturing, or petty politics stand in the way."