Washington  - US President Barack Obama marked the 30th anniversary Thursday of the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement by saying it should inspire efforts to expand peace in the Middle East.

"As we commemorate this historic event, we recall that peace is always possible even in the face of seemingly intractable conflicts," Obama said in a statement.

The United States brokered the treaty signed by Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat, sealing the deal with a handshake with a smiling president Jimmy Carter standing in the middle.

The treaty was a follow on the Camp David Accords.

"While much work remains, we honor the courage and foresight of these leaders, who stood together in unity to change the course of our shared history," Obama said.

"Today, as we seek to expand the circle of peace among Arabs and Israelis, we take inspiration from what Israel and Egypt achieved three decades ago, knowing that the destination is worthy of the struggle," he said. (dpa)