Israeli PM heads to US for first Obama meeting

But tensions have already surfaced between the two leaders as Netanyahu has refused to endorse the creation of an independent Palestinian state, a bedrock principal of the US-backed peace efforts in the region.
The two were also set to discuss Iran's nuclear programme, which both Israel and the US suspect is aimed at developing an atomic bomb, a claim denied by Tehran.
Netanyahu has assigned top priority to halting Iran's nuclear bid.
Obama, however, has pledged to act vigorously to end the decades-old Middle East conflict and sees its resolution as a key component in a comprehensive regional policy for resolving the crisis with the Islamic republic.
Obama's decision to break away from his predecessor George W. Bush's tough approach to Iran by engaging the Islamist republic in talks to defuse the nuclear standoff has raised concern in Israel.
The Jewish state says the negotiations must be limited in time and accompanied by economic and diplomatic sanctions.
Netanyahu was also planned to hold talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and senior congressmen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------