President Bush Begins 5-Day Middle East Trip

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President George Bush began a 5-day trip to the Middle East together with First Lady Laura Bush on Tuesday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel and continue negotiationg for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord.

The visit comes amid fighting in Beirut between supporters of U.S.-backed Lebanese government and opposition forces led by Hezbollah.

The President will meet separately with Israel President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday and then deliver a speech to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, the next day to commemorate the Jewish nation's anniversary.

President Bush then travels to Saudi Arabia on Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of U.S.-Saudi relations. He will then hold meetings with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz about increasing oil production and stem rising prices.

Separate meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas follow on Saturday. The President will speak with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora the next day before heading back to Washington.

During his visit, President Bush "will reaffirm his personal commitment to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and encourage continuing efforts for a two-state solution," according to National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.

"The trip will demonstrate the President's steadfast opposition to extremists and their state sponsors, Iran and Syria, who are expending enormous energy to thwart opportunities for security, freedom and peace in the region," Hadley also said during a press briefing last week.