DHAKA: Israel prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said upon arriving in the United States on Monday that for peace in the Middle East to take hold, the Palestinians must demonstrate their desire to reach a solution.

‘The tango in the Middle East needs at least three,’ Netanyahu said.

‘For years there have been two – Israel and the US. Now it needs to be seen if the Palestinians are also present. In any case, in order for us to have an agreement, we must uphold our vital interests. I have proven that I do so, in the face of all pressures and all the turmoil, and I will continue to do so here as well.’

America’s ability to ‘manage the international fallout is going to be limited’ if Israel does not strike a peace deal with the Palestinians and there is ‘continued aggressive settlement construction’, US president Barack Obama said in an interview published on the eve of his Monday meeting with prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

BDST: 1550 HRS, MAR 02, 2014