U.S President George W. Bush promised Wednesday to stay engaged in pulling Israelis and Palestinians toward a peace pact by the end of his term. The American leader, on the last stop of his eight-day Mideast tour, got a boost from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The Egyptian leader said he would work hand-in-hand with the U.S. on a deal to create an independent Palestinian state.
"When I say I'm coming back to stay engaged, I mean it," said Bush, who has committed to returning to the region in May. "When I say I'm optimistic we can get a deal done, I mean what I'm saying."
In comments summing up his trip, Bush also voiced support for the U.S.-backed government in Lebanon.
Mubarak said he stressed in his talks with Bush that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is at the core of problems and turmoil in the Middle East. Bush has expressed a desire to reach an agreement before he leaves office in January 2009. "I also said that I wish that he will reach a peace agreement before the end of his term," Mubarak said.
"We are keen on supporting peace efforts," Mubarak said. "We are ready, hand-in-hand with the United States 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 is convinced that leaders in both Israel and the West Bank are committed to a two-state solution. "I know nations in the neighborhood are willing to help, particularly yourself," Bush told Mubarak.
Additionally, Bush urged greater political openness in Egypt. However, he hailed Egypt for taking some steps toward democratic reform, but said more was needed. "I'm absolutely confident that people in the Middle East are working on building a society based on justice," Bush said.
He conveyed Egypt can play a role in the "freedom and justice movement" and is showing more economic openness. "My hope is that the Egyptian government will build on these important steps."
Bush, who left Egypt after his remarks to return to Washington, also expressed support for the government in Lebanon, and called on Syria and Iran to stop interfering in Beirut. "We agreed it's important for nations in this region to support Prime Minister (Fuad) Saniora," Bush said, according to the AP. "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."
