Lieberman, Israeli foreign minister, said Thursday that there was no chance of ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for many years, and that efforts to reach a final peace deal have failed since the first accord in 1993.

Speaking to Israel Radio, Lieberman said he believes it is unrealistic to think a long-term agreement on ending the conflict can be reached at this time and that whoever thinks an agreement can be reached soon just doesn't understand the situation.

He said both sides should instead strive for interim agreements that would create stability and leave the tough issues between the them "to a much later stage."

"I will tell Obama clearly, there are many conflicts in the world that haven't reached a comprehensive solution and people learned to live with it," Lieberman told the radio.

"But together with this, people made the most dramatic decision. To give up using force. To give up terror. And to stop resisting occupation and settlements," he said.

"What is possible to reach is a long-term intermediate agreement ... that leaves the tough issues for a much later stage," Lieberman said, referring to contentious issues such as the future status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and borders.