Washington - The United States on Wednesday said it would continue to work towards a two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, but stopped short of criticizing incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Barack Obama called Netanyahu to congratulate him on being sworn in as prime minister Wednesday and "reaffirmed the United States' steadfast commitment to Israel and its security," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

The two allies agreed to work together on regional issues including Iran's nuclear threat and "Arab-Israeli peace," Gibbs said.

Netanyahu, who heads Israel's hardline Likud Party, on Tuesday promised to continue the peace process with the Palestinians and Arab governments but did not mention the two-state solution to the conflict.

The omission drew protests from the Palestinians and former British prime minister Tony Blair, who is the special Middle East envoy for the international community, and a reminder from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The US State Department said the United States remained committed to a two-state solution - a policy that was formally adopted by former president George W Bush - and would continue working with both sides towards that goal.

"The Obama administration is committed to seeking a two-state solution for the resolution between differences between Israel and the Palestinians," spokesman Gordon Duguid said.

While many foreign policy goals were still being reviewed by the Obama administration, Duguid said "the two-state solution ... is not one that is under review."

Duguid said the US was waiting to hear Israel's "final position" on the issue and refrained from criticizing Netanyahu or his new cabinet. (dpa)