Syrian FM praises US President Obama’s speech to Muslims

The U.S. president's comments were "positive" and "expressed a clear trend towards a two-state solution, including a sustainable Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem was quoted by Israel's Ynetnews as saying in an interview with Saudi newspaper al-Watan.

“Obama's comments also express his desire for a comprehensive peace agreement (in the Middle East) and his support for Turkey's role in this process," the Syrian minister added. Â

Obama on Monday called upon Israel and the Palestinians to honor the obligations made under the Road Map and the Annapolis Conference.

Moallem wondered how Obama's messages would jibe with the policies of "the extreme right government in Israel that opposes a two-state solution and disregards international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative," Ynetnews reported.

Moallem said "we must not abandon anything that has to do with the (Palestinian refugees') right of return and the implementation of U.N. Resolution 194 in this regard."

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