U.S. Committed To Security Of Israel, Says Donilon

By Janie Amaya

President Obama’s National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon ensured that the United States is committed to the security of Israel, after the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, Egypt was attacked last Friday.

“We worked very hard during that day and that night with the Egyptians to meet their obligation, which is an obligation of a sovereign country to protect the embassy of another country in your country,” Donilon said during an event held by the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. on Friday.

Donilon said the U.S. worked very closlye with Egyptian leaders that night, saying it was very direct with respect to maintaining national agreements, including those with Israel.

Economic Club President David Rubenstein also pointed to rumors that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was upset with the way the U.S. handled the Arab uprising in Egypt.

Donilon said the removal of Egyptian President Mubarak was caused by an indigenous set of events and that the United States took no part in that.

Obama On Peace Talks: Efforts Must Be Made

After a day full of bi-lateral meetings with leaders of key middle eastern nations, President Barack Obama defended his efforts to bring Israel and Palestine to the negotiating table.

Though the President acknowledged skepticism over his objective, he told reporters in the White House Rose Garden that “if we dont make the attempt, then failure is guaranteed.”

In the morning, Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu, where the topic of Hamas’ deadly attack on Jewish settlers in the West Bank earlier this week was discussed. Obama followed that by holding a one-on-one with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority.

Afterwards, Obama said the two leaders recognized that “this as an opportunity [to talk] that must be seized.”

In the afternoon, the President met individually with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan.

The heads of state will all take part in a working dinner at the White House this evening.