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Bush urges Middle East democracy Bush's 'Israel bias' angers Abbas
(about 6 hours later)
US President George W Bush has urged Middle Eastern leaders to work hard to advance democracy and civil liberties, and to isolate sponsors of terrorism. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has accused US President George W Bush of bias towards Israel, following a speech to the Israeli parliament last week.
Mr Bush told the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh that states needed to diversify their economies, invest in people and extend the reach of freedom. The president also called on the region to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to isolate Syria. "What the president said at the Knesset made us angry, and to be honest, we don't accept it," Mr Abbas said.
On Saturday, he stressed his commitmentto securing a Middle East peace deal. Mr Bush lavished praise on Israel and barely mentioned the Palestinians in his speech, which marked the 60th anniversary of Israel's foundation.
Mr Bush made the remarks after holding talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak, and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the Egyptian Red Sea resort. In a speech in Egypt on Sunday, Mr Bush said the Arab world needed to reform.
'Much to do' He met several Arab and Muslim-nation leaders in Egypt over the weekend, and reiterated his commitment to a lasting Middle East peace deal by the end of his presidency in January.
Speaking at the end of a week-long tour of the region, Mr Bush said the Middle East could see advances in freedom and liberty if leaders acted with vision and resolve. We have asked him to maintain a balanced position Mahmoud Abbas, about George Bush
Mr Bush had dinner with Mr Abbas on Saturday night. In their brief comments to the media ahead of the meal, there was no hint from Mr Abbas that he was angered by Mr Bush's comments.
Indeed, Mr Abbas defended Mr Bush against sceptics who doubt a peace deal can be reached.
But on Sunday the Palestinian Authority president revealed that he had demanded an explanation from Mr Bush for his comments in Israel.
"We had many things to say about it, and we told him this when we met him yesterday, because we speak with him openly, honestly and transparently. We have asked him to maintain a balanced position," Mr Abbas said.
Mr Bush had told Israeli politicians that the US was their closest ally, and that their country was a "homeland for the chosen people".
Few Palestinians regard President Bush as an honest broker, and his latest visit to the region seems to have reinforced that view, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Call for freedom
In Egypt, Mr Bush urged Arab leaders to work hard to advance democracy and civil liberties, and to isolate sponsors of terrorism.
He told the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh that states needed to diversify their economies, invest in people and extend the reach of freedom.
"This region is home to energetic people, a powerful spirit of enterprise, and tremendous resources," he said."This region is home to energetic people, a powerful spirit of enterprise, and tremendous resources," he said.
True democracy requires competitive elections in which opposition candidates are allowed to campaign without fear or intimidation US President George BushTrue democracy requires competitive elections in which opposition candidates are allowed to campaign without fear or intimidation US President George Bush
"It is capable of a very bright future, a future in which the Middle East is a place of innovation and discovery, driven by free men and women.""It is capable of a very bright future, a future in which the Middle East is a place of innovation and discovery, driven by free men and women."
Mr Bush said politics in the region too often "consisted of one leader in power and the opposition in jail" and that the time had come for nations to "abandon these practices, and treat their people with the dignity and respect they deserve".Mr Bush said politics in the region too often "consisted of one leader in power and the opposition in jail" and that the time had come for nations to "abandon these practices, and treat their people with the dignity and respect they deserve".
"True democracy requires competitive elections in which opposition candidates are allowed to campaign without fear or intimidation." The comment could have been seen as criticism of a number of Arab countries, including Egypt, where President Hosni Mubarak has been in power for 27 years.
His fellow leaders also needed to make their economies more diverse, competitive and open, enact political reforms, allow freedom of speech and rule of law, improve education, and ensure greater participation by women and young men, he added. Mr Bush warned that "the light of liberty" was at risk from "spoilers such as the regimes in Iran and Syria", and called on the region to reject their policies, and help prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
"There is much to do," Mr Bush said. "The future is in your hands - and freedom and peace are within your grasp."
But he warned that "the light of liberty" was at risk from "spoilers such as the regimes in Iran and Syria", and called on the region to reject their policies.
"To allow the world's leading sponsor of terror to gain the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," he said."To allow the world's leading sponsor of terror to gain the world's deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations," he said.
Mr Bush also said Iran and Syria were fomenting sectarian conflict in Lebanon, where more than 60 people have been killed in recent days in clashes between fighters loyal to the pro-Western government and opposition supporters, led by the Shia Hezbollah movement.Mr Bush also said Iran and Syria were fomenting sectarian conflict in Lebanon, where more than 60 people have been killed in recent days in clashes between fighters loyal to the pro-Western government and opposition supporters, led by the Shia Hezbollah movement.
"It is now clearer than ever that Hezbollah militias are the enemy of a free Lebanon, and all nations, especially neighbours in the region, have an interest in helping the Lebanese people prevail," he said.
Reform call
Before he arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh, Mr Bush was criticised by Egypt's state-owned newspapers for "appeasing Israel" and hardly referring to Palestinians during a speech in Israel during its 60th anniversary celebrations last week.
Mr Bush is hoping for a lasting Middle East peace deal by the year's end
He therefore spent much of Saturday working hard to convince the Arab world that he is "absolutely committed" to a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.
"It'll be an opportunity to end the suffering that takes place in the Palestinian territories," he said after holding talks with Mr Abbas.
"It breaks my heart to see the vast potential of the Palestinian people really wasted. They are good, smart capable people who when given a chance will build a thriving homeland," he added.
"I commit to you once again that my government will help achieve a dream, a dream that you have, and the truth of matter is, a dream that the Israelis have, which is two states living side by side in peace."
Mr Bush had dinner with Mr Abbas on Saturday night. In their brief comments to the media ahead of the meal, there was no suggestion from Mr Abbas that he was losing faith or patience with the US.
Mr Abbas said he was confident of Mr Bush's dedication to the goal of a final deal. The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, did not attend the meetings although he did send a delegation.