President Bush on Tuesday told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak he was committed to moving forward with a "road map" for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, a White House spokesman said.
Spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush and Mubarak discussed the U.S. leader's speech last week in which he raised the prospect of a new government in Iraq creating an opportunity for wider Middle East peace.
"The president told President Mubarak about his recent speech where he reiterated his commitment to move forward on seeking peace between Israelis and Palestinians," Fleischer said. "And President Bush told President Mubarak of his personal commitment to dedicate time and energy to this goal."
Fleischer said Bush and Mubarak discussed Iraq. The two leaders also talked about the recent Arab summit in Cairo and the upcoming Islamic Conference summit in Doha.
Meanwhile, Bush said Tuesday that the United States would work with "international bodies" to battle global terrorism but must act to disarm Iraq with or without UN approval.
"If we see gathering threats which could harm the American people, we must deal with them," he said. Bush added it is up to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to avert war by complying immediately and completely with the UN Security Council Resolution 1441.
"The choice is Saddam Hussein's to make. It is his choice to determine whether there is war or peace. It is his choice to decide whether to listen to the demands of the free world.
"But no matter what his choice may be, for the sake of peace, for the sake of freedom, for the sake of security of our people, Saddam Hussein will be disarmed," said the American president.
"The first war of the 21st century requires the United States to work with international bodies to deal with these threats and we will continue to do so," he pledged. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
