Obama: 'No shortcuts' to Mideast peace

President Barack Obama tried to discourage the Palestinians' attempt to become a member of the United Nations through a much anticipated application to the world body for recognition this week, emphasizing "there are no shortcuts to peace."

But his recommendation was rebuffed by Palestinians, who said they must continue with their plan in New York while not ruling out talks in the Middle East.

"I know that many are frustrated by the lack of progress" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Obama told heads of state and government at the opening of the General Assembly Wednesday. "I assure you, so am I. The question isn't the goal we seek. The question is: How do we reach that goal?"

Obama's remarks never mentioned specifically Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' intention to apply for Palestinian UN membership through the Security Council when he speaks Friday.

Abbas was present for Obama's speech in the Great Hall. They later discussed the issues behind closed doors. One of Abbas' envoys, Nabil Shaath, said afterward the Palestinian delegation was undeterred and would submit the application as part of a flexible strategy that includes appeals to the General Assembly or Security Council -- or both -- while leaving the door open for direct talks, too.

"We will tell him we are absolutely determined to go through with the requirements of joining the United Nations but in no way are we considering that as an alternative to negotiations," Shaath said a few hours before a bilateral meeting with Obama. "We would like to go back to negotiations, and the Israelis must stop settlement activity."

Nabil spoke after Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the president for "supporting peace through direct negotiations."

Obama's statement echoed those of members of his administration who have scrambled in recent days to prevent the application for membership through the 15-member Security Council or the 193-member General Assembly.

The United States has threatened to veto an application in the Security Council, which could grant full membership. In the General Assembly the United States has no veto power, but the body can grant only "nonmember" status.

The nonmember status would entitle Palestinians to legal instruments such as the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, which would allow them to seek redress for crimes committed in the territories.

In making his case, Obama cited examples of patience.

He mentioned the struggles of South Sudan, which in June applied for full membership and, within days, became the 193rd member of the UN after decades of war.

Obama recalled the battles for peace in Northern Ireland, which also were resolved after decades of conflict followed by direct talks.

"I'm convinced there is no shortcut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades," he said.

Obama reiterated the U.S. "commitment" to Israeli security, calling it "unshakable," while offering no such pledge to Palestinians beyond saying they've long deserved a state of their own.

"We believe that any lasting peace must acknowledge the very real security concerns that Israel faces every day," he said. Israeli children grow up, he said, "knowing that throughout the region other children are taught to hate them."

In his speech, Obama did not mention the negative impact that the occupation, blockade and other military actions in the territories have had on Palestinians.

Shaath said that is part of the problem.

"We are a people under occupation. That occupation started in 1967. That occupation should end and there should be no more deepening or widening of that occupation by settlement policy and de-Arabization of Jerusalem, siege of Gaza . prevented from coming back to their country."