President Barack Obama and Saudi King Abdullah met Tuesday at the White House to discuss the Middle East peace process.

Obama stressed on the importance of securing a Palestinian homeland alongside a strong Israeli state. “They expressed their hope that proximity talks between Israelis and Palestinians will lead to the resumption of direct talks with the aim of two states living side-by-side in peace and security,” the White House said in a statement.

The US president said, “As representatives of two G-20 countries, we also continued the conversation that took place this weekend about how the Saudi – how the Saudi government and the United States government can work with our other partners around the world to keep the economic recovery going and to help bring about the strong economic growth that’s necessary to put people back to work.”

“The President and King Abdullah also discussed the importance of resuming the Israeli-Syrian and the Israeli-Lebanese tracks in order to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The President welcomed the King’s continued leadership in support of the Arab Peace Initiative.”

Obama said their meeting ranged over a number of strategic issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as “the importance of moving forward in a swift and bold way in securing a Palestinian homeland that can live side by side with a secure and prosperous Israeli state.”

King Abdullah only spoke briefly after their meeting, thanking Obama for his hospitality and praising the friendship between their two countries. “I would like to say to the friendly American people that the American people are friends of Saudi Arabia and its people, and they are friends of the Arab and Muslim people, and they are also friends of humanity,” he said.

Analysts say the Saudis want Obama to take a stronger stance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over stalled peace talks with the Palestinians and on freezing settlements. Netanyahu meets Obama on July 6.

The leaders also discussed building a Saudi army that would be capable of facing any threat. The possible purchase of 72 F-16 jets by the Saudi was also discussed.