Trump backs 'two-state solution' for peace talks in Middle East

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday backed the establishment of a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel to resolve the decade-long conflict between the two countries, in a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I like two-state solution," The Hill quoted Trump, as saying, during the meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

When asked about a possible Mideast peace deal, Trump said he expects to have something in the next "two to three to four months."

"We're working along on that, I really believe something will happen. It is a dream of mine to be able to get that done prior to the end of my first term," he said.

Trump's comments come in sharp contrast to his remarks in February last year when he had said that the Middle East required a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Multiple steps by the Trump administration have been heavily criticised by the Palestinians as being unhelpful to advancing peace negotiations.

The Trump administration's decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem had been opposed by the Palestinians, who perceived the move to be a bias for Israel.

The US President also faced backlash for the decision to shut the Palestine Liberation Organisation's (PLO) diplomatic office in Washington DC, and for scrapping a USD 25 million financial aid allocated for the care of Palestinians in hospitals in East Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has expressed hostility to a two-state solution and backed Palestinian settlements, reported The Hill.