israel: US President Barack Obama hasvowed eternal support for his main Middle East ally.

On his first trip to the country as president, Mr Obama met Israeli president Shimon Peres and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and told the Israeli people that "peace must come to the Holy Land" and that goal would not be achieved at Israel's expense.

US backing for Israel, he said, will be a constant as the Middle East deals with revolution and Iran continues its nuclear programme.

He said: "The United States is proud to stand with you as your strongest ally and your greatest friend."

Mr Obama visited a missile battery that is part of Israel's Iron Dome defence from militant rocket attacks.

The United States has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in developing the system with Israel.