Sharm Al Shaikh, Egypt: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday endorsed US hopes for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan this year and said he will work hand in hand with the United States 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' are willing to help reach a Mideast peace deal.
Bush said he will remain engaged in Mideast peacemaking, and return to the region. "When I say I'm coming back to stay engaged, I mean it," Bush said.
"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 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."
"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 sees as a lack of political freedoms.
Bush praised Egypt for taking some steps toward democratic reform, but said more was needed.
