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Egypt, US 'to work hand in hand'
16/01/2008 15:06 - (SA)
Sharm El-Sheik - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday endorsed United States hopes for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan this year and said he would work hand in hand with American and other nations to make it happen.
US President George W Bush, closing his eight-day trip to the Mideast, said "nations in the neighbourhood" were willing to help Israelis and Palestinians reach a Mideast peace deal.
Bush said he would remain engaged in Mideast peacemaking, and return to the region.
He said: "When I say I'm coming back to stay engaged, I mean it. When I say I'm optimistic we can get a deal done, I mean what I'm saying."
Mubarak said he stressed in his talks with Bush that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was at the core of problems and turmoil in the Middle East. Bush had expressed a desire to reach an agreement before he leaves office in January 2009.
Mubarak: We are ready
Mubarak said: "I also said that I wish that he will reach a peace agreement before the end of his term."
"We are keen on supporting peace efforts," Mubarak said. "We are ready, hand-in-hand with the US of America," and others to work for the "sake of a comprehensive and just peace, to put an end to this Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to open new horizons for the Middle East for a more peaceful and secure future".
Bush said he was convinced that leaders in both Israel and the West Bank were committed to a two-state solution. "I know nations in the neighbourhood are willing to help, particularly yourself," Bush told Mubarak.
Standing alongside Mubarak, Bush urged greater political openness in Egypt, but did not directly criticise the Egyptian government for what the US saw as a lack of political freedoms. Bush praised Egypt for taking some steps toward democratic reform, but said more was needed.
Bush said: "I'm absolutely confident that people in the Middle East are working on building a society based on justice."
'Political life is moving'
Wrapping up his journey, which included a side trip to Baghdad by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bush said the fragile Iraqi government was making progress on political reconciliation.
He said: "The government isn't perfect, but nevertheless, progress is being made," he said.
"Normal life is coming back, and political life is moving," Bush said, offering an upbeat take on a war that had drained public patience back home.
Bush said: "The US will continue to help the Iraqi people secure their democracy."
Bush, who left Egypt after his remarks to return to Washington, also expressed support for the weak US-backed government in Lebanon, and called on Syria and Iran to stop interfering in Beirut.
Bush said: "We agreed it's important for nations in this region to support Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. It's important to encourage the holding of immediate, unconditional presidential elections according to the Lebanese constitution, and to make it clear to Syria, Iran and their allies they must end their interference and efforts to undermine the process."
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