Obama pledges active involvement in Mideast peace process if elected

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) (C) speaks during a news conference at the Amman Citadel, an ancient Roman landmark, in Amman, Jordan, July 22, 2008. Obama is flanked by US Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) (L) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE). (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Visiting U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama vowed here Tuesday to actively involve in the Middle East peace process if he won the election in November, Jordan's official news agency reported.

"The U.S. will always remain a strong ally of Israel, whether he or his Republican rival John McCain won the election," said Obama.

However, he said "what will change is the involvement of this president in the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis and to admit challenges which Palestinians are living through."

He promised to tackle the issue in the first day in the White House office.

Obama also backed the two-state solution, which will see an independent Palestinian state living side by side with a secure Israel.

Obama has arrived in Amman Tuesday to continue his week-long Mideast and Europe tour after visiting Afghanistan and Iraq.

He is scheduled to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II late on Tuesday evening.