Bush insists Arab summit made 'progress' towards peace

Tuesday, 3 June 2003 12:00 AM

US President George W Bush said this afternoon that his meeting with Arab leaders in Egypt has made progress towards peace.

The President is currently in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to discuss the US-led roadmap for peace between Israel and Palestine with Arab leaders.

In an appearance with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak following the meeting, Mr Bush welcomed the pledge of the five Arab leaders present to clamp down on violence.

He declared: 'In this meeting we have made progress on a broad agenda. And we are determined to keep moving forward.'

'We meet in the Sinai at a moment of promise for the cause of peace in the Middle East. We see the potential for unity against terror. We see the potential for the birth of a new and Palestinian state.

'We see the potential for broader peace among the peoples of this region. Achieving these goals will require courage and moral vision on every side from every leader. America is committed and I am committed to helping all the parties to reach the hard and heroic decisions that will lead to peace.'

Mr Bush claimed that he had won the support of the Arab leaders for his plans for peace.

He also took the opportunity to warn Israel that it must deal with the issue of West Bank settlements as part of its commitment to peace.

The removal of Israeli settlements form Palestinian regions has been a fierce area of contention between Palestinian and Israeli leaders.

The roadmap for peace outlines steps towards the creation of an independent Palestinian state by 2005.

Mr Mubarak, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, Jordan's King Abdullah, Bahrain's King Hamad and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas were all present at today's meeting.

On Wednesday, the President will join Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mr Abbas for talks in Jordan.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher welcomed the meeting tomorrow, saying that it proved that Mr Bush was committed to working for peace in the Middle East.

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