US efforts to revive the Middle East process floundered yesterday after President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held closed-door talks amid signs of friction.

The two went into talks with the United States having renewed its opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank Netanyahu left the White House after spending an hour and 40 minutes, without making the

customary public appearance with lite US president.

"The president reaffirmed our strong commitment to Israel's security, and discussed security cooperation on a range of issues," the White House said in a brief statement.

"The president and prime minister also discussed Iran and howto move forward on Middle East peace."

Ahead of the meeting, Netanyahu said he was ready to immediately start peace negot i -ations with the Palestinians, but

prospects appear dim.

"The policy of the United States government for many decades has been, no more settlements, that's not something that is new (with) this administration," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Aides to Mahmud Abbas warned yesterday that if US efforts to re-launcn Middle East peace t alks stay deadlocked, the presiden t could resign in a move that would probably lead to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority.