U.S. President George W. Bush, heading to the Middle East region for two summits, will press Arab leaders in Sharm al-Sheikh Tuesday to do more to show open support for new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, U.S. officials said, according to AP.
"The president is going to look to the Arab leaders to continue to play a constructive role in achieving peace," White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer said on Sunday.
Aides said he would press them to both demonstrate support for the new Palestinian leader and to take steps making it easier for him to rein in "terrorism" and impose security in Palestinian-controlled areas.
Bush pledged Monday to "put in as much time as necessary" into achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians and help them live side by side. Bush said he knew it would not be an easy task to end years of hostility in the region. But he told reporters, "I think we'll make some progress. I know we're making progress."
"My expectations on the Middle East are to call all the respective parties to their responsibilities to achieve peace," the American leader said. "My country and I will put in as much time as necessary to achieve the vision of two states, living side by side in peace."
On his part, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said that the United States hoped to win commitments from the Arab leaders "that they will provide assistance (to Abbas) to strengthen his position as prime minister."
A senior administration official said Bush would use his meetings to seek commitments from regional leaders on how to carry out the road map.
Asked if the United States would apply sanctions for countries that fail to comply, the official said, "The United States is going to be in a position to assess where progress is being made and where it isn't. And to assess where the roadblocks to progress are and where they are not."
Bush was cutting short his attendance at a summit of major industrial nations on Monday to head for the Middle East. (Albawaba.com)
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