Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday that the "moment is now" to restart the Middle East peace process and called on Israelis and Palestinians to make concrete and serious steps to achieve peace.

"We've seen extraordinary activity already on this issue, and that sent a signal to all the parties," Obama said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Dresden.

"The United States can't force peace upon the parties. But what we've tried to do is to clear away some of the misunderstandings," Obama said, stressing that the international community is going to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace but the ultimate responsibility lies with the two parties to ensure that the prosperity and security of their people are best served.

Obama said he has no illusions that the long Middle East conflict will come to an end soon. "I'm confident that if we stick with it, we are going to make some progress on it this year," he said.

The U.S. president also said in helping achieve Middle East peace, the United States needs strong international partners, including help from Germany.

Merkel called Obama's speech in Cairo "a door opener" for restarting the Middle East peace process.

"I believe with the new U.S. administration, with President Obama, there is a unique opportunity to see to it that the negotiation process is revived," Merkel said.

She also said that Germany agrees with the United States in pursuing a two-state solution for Middle East peace and is ready to help in the process.

On another Middle East issue, Obama reiterated that the United States "is committed to engaging in serious dialogue and negotiations with Iran" and that also serves the purpose of avoiding an arms race in the Middle East.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2009)