This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7406274.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bush in Egypt for Mid-East talks Bush meets Palestinian president
(about 4 hours later)
US President George W Bush has arrived in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks with Arab leaders. US President George W Bush has begun talks with friendly Arab leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, by meeting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Mr Bush will discuss the Middle East peace process with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah II. Mr Bush is also due to discuss the Middle East peace process with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah.
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is not there, but has sent his defence minister. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is not there but has sent his defence minister.
The BBC's Christian Fraser at the talks says there is little hope for the Israeli-Palestinian peace deal Mr Bush wants by the time he leaves office. A BBC correspondent says there is little hope for the peace deal Mr Bush wants by the time he leaves office.
"It breaks my heart to see the vast potential of the Palestinian people, really, wasted," the Associated Press quoted Mr Bush as saying.
Standing next to Mr Abbas in the Red Sea resort, he added: "It would be an opportunity to end the suffering that takes place in the Palestinian territories."
'Peace over''Peace over'
Our correspondent says Mr Bush will spend the weekend trying to balance the support he has shown the Israelis during the past week with his country's wider strategic interests in the Arab World. The BBC's Christian Fraser says Mr Bush will spend the weekend trying to balance the support he has shown the Israelis during the past week with his country's wider strategic interests in the Arab World.
Mr Bush is due to address the World Economic Forum on SundayMr Bush is due to address the World Economic Forum on Sunday
Mr Bush received a warm welcome from his Egyptian counterpart, but among those gathered there is little confidence that the meetings will result in any significant progress, our correspondent says. Mr Bush received a warm welcome from his Egyptian counterpart but among those gathered there is little confidence that the meetings will result in any significant progress, our correspondent says.
An editorial in Egypt's main state-owned newspaper, al-Ahram, said the Israeli-Palestinian peace process was effectively over under Mr Bush.An editorial in Egypt's main state-owned newspaper, al-Ahram, said the Israeli-Palestinian peace process was effectively over under Mr Bush.
After meeting President Mubarak at a luxury hotel overlooking the Red Sea, Mr Bush will hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Mr Abbas. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak is expected to press again for the release of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, as a condition of any truce with Hamas, the militant group which controls the Gaza Strip.
A White House spokesman said Mr Bush would "make clear... that the Palestinian people deserve a state" while with the Palestinian Authority president. Mr Bush is also due to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Iraqi officials in the course of the weekend, which takes in a World Economic Forum.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak is expected to press again for the release of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, as a condition of any truce with Hamas, the militant group which controls Gaza.
Mr Bush will also hold talks with Jordan's King Abdullah, Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Iraqi officials on Sunday at the World Economic Forum, which he is due to address.