WASHINGTON, D.C.
U.S. President Barack Obama said his government would use all diplomatic resources and relationships to support efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza.
In a press conference late Wednesday, Obama touched upon several issues including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nuclear talks with Iran and Afghanistan's presidential election deadlock.
"Over the past two weeks, we've all been heartbroken by the violence, especially the death and injury of so many innocent civilians in Gaza -- men, women and children who were caught in the crossfire," Obama said.
Noting that the U.S. supports Egypt's initiative for a cease-fire between Israel and Palestine, Obama stressed the need to protect civilians caught up in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel accepted Egypt's proposal but Hamas declined.
Israel ceased airstrikes on Gaza strip so that U.N. humanitarian aid enter Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian organization Hamas and other resistance factions since last week has left 203 Palestinian civilians dead and more than one thousand wounded..
Nuclear talks with Iran
Obama said the administration would consult Congress to determine the next step in nuclear talks with Iran ahead of the negotiations deadline, July 20.
Also, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently returned from Vienna, where he had been since the weekend to attend the ongoing negotiations between international powers and Iran over Iran's nuclear program. The negotiations were between representatives of Iran and the so-called P5+1 -- the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- The U.S., Russia, China, the U.K. and France -- plus Germany.
He briefed President Obama on Wednesday afternoon.
"Based on consultation with Secretary Kerry and my national security team, it's clear to me that we've made real progress in several areas and that we have a credible way forward," Obama said at the press conference.
But Obama said some significant gaps between the world powers and Iran remain.
"Over the next few days, we'll continue consulting with the Congress and our team will continue discussions with Iran and our partners as we determine whether additional time is necessary to extend our negotiations," he added.
The U.S. Congress is against any extension of negotiations. The Obama administration has not taken a clear-cut position on the matter.
According to an agreement signed by the P5+1 and Iran in Geneva in November 2013, Iran would roll back its nuclear program in exchange for limited relief of sanctions imposed on it by the U.S. and Western powers.
The so-called Joint Plan of Action stipulated a six months period for a final agreement to be reached between Iran and international powers. That period will end July 20.
According to the agreement the deadline can be extended if necessary.
Afghanistan presidential elections
Obama also welcomed the solution of the impasse over the presidential election in Afghanistan.
"The candidates have agreed to abide by the results of a comprehensive and internationally supervised audit that will review all the ballots and to form a unity government," said Obama.
"If they keep their commitments, Afghanistan will witness the first democratic transfer of power in the history of that nation," he said.
On his visit to Kabul last week, Kerry persuaded the Afghan presidential candidates to abide by an audit that would review the ballot boxes.
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