1st Ld-Writethru: Israeli PM to visit U.S. in November: White House spokesman

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in November, a spokesman announced Friday.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters that an exact date for the meeting has not been determined yet. However, there was an "ongoing effort" to finalize it.

The U.S. and Israel have been at odds over Iran's nuclear issue. Netanyahu angered the White House by speaking against any nuclear deal in an address to Congress in March.

"There is probably no world leader with whom the president has spent more time interacting and talking and meeting with, than Prime Minister Netanyahu," Earnest said, trying to play down the rift.

The spokesman also emphasized the depth of the security relationship between the U.S. and Israel and Obama's commitment to strengthening the ties.

U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a resolution disapproving of the nuclear deal reached by world powers and Iran.

In a 58-42 vote, Senate Republicans fell two votes short of the 60 needed to move forward the resolution, handing President Barack Obama a major victory in his foreign policy priority.

The P5+1 group, namely the U.S., Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany, reached a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran in July. The accord would provide sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for limits on its controversial nuclear program. Endit