Arabs want peace progress by Sept: Saudi prince

Arab states want to see progress in U.S.-guided Palestinian-Israeli peace talks by September, former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal said on Saturday, adding that an 'inept' United States cannot fix Afghanistan

"The Arab world has given (U.S. President Barack) Obama until September to get things done," Turki, also a former Saudi ambassador to Washington, told an audience of businessmen, journalists and diplomats.

"It is not enough to talk the talk. He has to walk the walk," he said.

"If he does not succeed ... then I ask President Obama to do the morally decent gesture and recognize the Palestinian state that he so ardently wishes to exist.

"He can then pack up and leave us in peace and let the Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese negotiate directly with the Israelis. No more platitudes and good wishes and visions, please."

Turki, the brother of Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, currently has no official government position but is believed to often reflect sentiment at high government levels.

Indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians got under way on May 9.

The talks, which both sides are hoping will revive the peace process after a 17-month break, are expected to cover all final-status issues, including borders, security and Jerusalem.

He can then pack up and leave us in peace and let the Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese negotiate directly with the Israelis. No more platitudes and good wishes and visions, please

Prince Turki al-Faisal

'Inept' US

Meanwhile, Prince Turki said an "inept" United States cannot fix Afghanistan's problems and should simply focus on "chasing the terrorists" there

He said the U.S.-led NATO troop presence in Afghanistan has irrevocably alienated the Afghan people and has no hope of rebuilding the country.

"What Afghanistan needs now is a shift from nation-building to effectively countering terrorists," Turki told a small audience in Riyadh.

U.S. President Barack Obama "should not be misdirected into believing that he can fix Afghanistan's ills by military means."

"Hunt down the terrorists on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border, arrest them or kill them, and get out, and let the Afghan people deal with their problems."

"As long as GI boots remain on Afghan soil, they remain targets of resistance for the Afghan people and ideological mercenaries."

"The inept way in which this administration has dealt with President (Hamid) Karzai beggars disbelief and amazement."

What Afghanistan needs now is a shift from nation-building to effectively countering terrorists

Prince Turki al-Faisal