Israeli Prime Minister visits Singapore

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his two-day official visit to Singapore on Monday, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

Netanyahu received a ceremonial welcome at Istana, met with Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, respectively.

This is the first official visit by a Prime Minister of Israel to Singapore.

Tan and Netanyahu reaffirmed the strong and longstanding ties between Singapore and Israel and exchanged views on regional and international developments, according a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday.

On developments in the Middle East, Lee reiterated Singapore's longstanding and consistent position on the two-state solution, including Singapore's support for Israel's right to live within secure borders and in peace and also the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland, according to the MFA.

He also expressed Singapore's hope that the Israelis and the Palestinians would resume direct negotiations to find a just, durable and comprehensive solution to the conflict.

MFA said both leaders also discussed on the cooperation in areas such as research and development, technical cooperation, housing policy and education. -- BERNAMA