Obama: Israel's Netanyahu must make 'tough decisions'

US President Barack Obama has told the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he needs to make tough decisions if peace talks with the Palestinians are to have a future.

''It's my belief that ultimately it is still possible to create two states - a Jewish state of Israel, and a state of Palestine in which people are living side by side in peace and security,'' said Mr Obama.

However the president added it was ''difficult'' and required ''compromise on all sides''.

The White House has said it hopes to see a peace deal in place by 29 April.