Obama told the opening day of the UN General Assembly that there was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a Palestinian state if key nations in the region and world powers throw their weight behind his new drive.

He was backed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who said there was "encouraging movement toward a comprehensive peace" and added: "I strongly discourage either side from any action that would hold back progress."

Obama said if Israeli-Palestinian talks were successful, "when we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that will lead to a new member of the United Nations -- an independent state of Palestine, living in peace with Israel."

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have held two rounds of new talks, with US help, in the past month. But Abbas has threatened to walk out if Israel does not extend a moratorium on building new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Obama renewed US calls for the moratorium to be extended and this was welcomed by the Palestinian leader.

The US president acknowledged that many observers are "pessimistic" about the talks and warned that radical elements on both sides will try to disrupt the process with "bitter words and with bombs."

"But consider the alternative. If an agreement is not reached, Palestinians will never know the pride and dignity that comes with their own state."

"Israelis will never know the certainty and security that comes with sovereign and stable neighbors who are committed to co-existence."

He warned that if the talks collapse, hopes of peace may founder for a generation.

"The hard realities of demography will take hold. More blood will be shed. This Holy Land will remain a symbol of our differences, instead of our common humanity," Obama said.

In a plea to Arab nations, Obama said there has to be political and financial help for the Palestinian authority, but pointedly declared: "Those who long to see an independent Palestine rise must stop trying to tear Israel down."

Obama was late arriving at the United Nations and missed his scheduled time to speak. Abbas was in the audience but the Israeli representation was not present because of a religious holiday in Israel.

The US president also warned Iran over its nuclear drive, which has led to four rounds of UN sanctions.

"The door remains open to diplomacy should Iran choose to walk through it. But the Iranian government must demonstrate a clear and credible commitment, and confirm to the world the peaceful intent of its nuclear program," he said.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also to speak to the assembly on Thursday.

Ban also called for greater collective efforts to overcome crises, ranging from the Middle East to the financial crisis and climate change.

"The world still looks to the United Nations for moral and political leadership. The great goals are within reach. We can achieve them by looking forward, pulling together, uniting our strength as a community of nations in the name of the larger good."

The UN chief said the world was looking for a "moral compass."

"At the UN, we find the proper path in community -- global common cause, mutual responsibility for a destiny we share."

At a time when the Group of 20 nations and other regional institutions are becoming more powerful, Ban said that "The United Nations remains the indispensable global institution for the 21st-century."

Ban highlighted many of the diplomatic challenges likely to confront the United Nations in coming months, particularly Sudan.

"During the coming year, the UN will be critical to keeping a larger peace as north and south Sudan decide their future." He will chair a meeting on Sudan on Friday with Obama and many African leaders present.

The UN leader also put the spotlight on the deadlock in climate change negotiations ahead of a new international conference in Cancun, Mexico in December.

He warned that an accord would not be easy but urged progress in the next year on financing the mitigation of the warming planet, technology transfer and on preventing deforestation.

earlier related report
Most Palestinians support peace talks: poll
Jerusalem (AFP) Sept 23, 2010 - Most Palestinians support the decision to renew peace talks with Israel and oppose armed struggle, but few expect the negotiations to lead anywhere, according to a poll published Thursday.

The survey by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Centre (JMCC) found that 54.3 percent of Palestinians believe that the decision to relaunch talks on September 2 "serves the interests of the Palestinian people," with 34 percent saying it was harmful to them.

The same poll found that 59.4 percent of Palestinians oppose "military operations against Israeli targets," with 30.3 percent supporting them.

Pessimism about the peace process remains high, however, with 55.7 percent saying there will not be a "significant change in the status quo" as a result of the talks and 38.3 percent saying there would be.

The poll found that 43.8 percent of Palestinians would have voted for president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party if local elections had been held this year, compared to 13.5 percent who would have voted for the militant Hamas.

However, 26.4 percent said they would not have voted at all.

The poll surveyed 1,200 adults from across the occupied West Bank and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on September 11-15, with a margin of error of three percent.

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