Obama says Israeli settlement building dangerous.

Summary: Barack Obama puts fresh pressure on Israel to stop settlement projects, saying it could lead to dangerous situation with the Palestinians.

Barack Obama has put fresh pressure on Israel to stop its settlement projects, saying continued building could lead to a dangerous situation with the Palestinians.

The White House has expressed dismay over Israeli approval to expand its Gilo settlement near Jerusalem. 900 homes are being built on West Bank land occupied in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

The US President told Fox News: "I think that additional settlement building does not contribute to Israel's security, I think it makes it harder for them to make peace with their neighbours. I think it embitters the Palestinians in a way that could end up being very dangerous."

He continued: "The situation in the Middle East is very difficult, and I've said repeatedly and I'll say again, Israel's security is a vital national interest to the United States, and we will make sure they are secure."

Mr Obama has made achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians a top priority, but so far there has been little progress in restarting talks between the two sides.

An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed US anger at the settlement plans, insisting it was part of a routine building programme.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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