U.S. repeats commitment to pursuing two-state solution

The United States will continue to press for a two-state solution in Israel's conflict with Palestinians, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said on Friday, after right-wing leader Benjamin Netanyahu was asked to form Israel's next government.

"We'll have to see how events unfold in Israel, should Mr. Netanyahu become prime minister, and it will be our point of view that this remains a very important element of our approach and our policy," Rice told National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" program.

Earlier on on Friday State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said "The United States is a longstanding and firm ally of Israel. We will work with the next Israeli government, however it is composed, and we'll move on from there to work on bilateral and regional issues together."

Duguid's comments came a few hours after Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday accepted a mandate to form Israel's next government.

"But as I said, the process is ongoing," the spokesman added. "There is not a government yet. We are still working, you know, with Israel. But I don't have a reaction until we have a government - new government sitting in place."

After last week's inconclusive election, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that U.S. President Barack Obama intends to work toward Middle East peace regardless of who forms the incoming government.

At Friday's briefing, Duguid also noted that the U.S. has been working on the Middle East peace process for a number of years.

"I think this shows determination by the United States to continue to work for a two-state solution in the Middle East and to help bring stability to the region. That is something that we've been committed to for a number of years, and I do not see that changing," he added.

Duguid also said that U.S. policy toward Hamas would not change until the Islamist militant group accepted the existence of Israel, stopped trying to violently overthrow Israel, sought to reengage in the peace process and stopped trying to rearm by smuggling rockets and other arms into Gaza.