Biden: All-out war is possible but not inevitable in Middle East
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US President Joe Biden (centre) speaking with hosts Ana Navarro (left) and Joy Behar during his appearance on ABC's The View, on Sept 25.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK - US President Joe Biden said on Sept 25 an all-out war was possible in the Middle East but there was also the possibility of a settlement in Israel's conflicts in Gaza and with the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
"An all-out war is possible, but I think there's also the opportunity - we're still in play to have a settlement that can fundamentally change the whole region," Mr Biden said, in an appearance on ABC's The View.
Mr Biden, in New York this week for UN General Assembly meetings, has been working to calm tensions as the nearly year-long war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip now threatens to engulf Lebanon.
Israel widened its airstrikes in Lebanon on Sept 25
The US president, a staunch longtime ally of Israel, has pushed for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestinian conflict and said he has openly disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the issue.
"I don't agree with his position. There needs to be a two state solution," Mr Biden said. "It needs to happen."
Mr Biden said once ceasefires are secured with Hezbollah and in Gaza, then attention can be turned to the West Bank.
"It's possible, and I'm using every bit of energy I have... to get this done. There's a desire to see change." REUTERS
