By DPA,
Washington : US President George W. Bush is to add Saudi Arabia and Egypt to his trip in May, with plans in Egypt to discuss the Middle East peace process with the leaders of Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, and to speak at an economic forum on the Middle East, the White House said Monday.
In Egypt, Bush will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in addition to meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Hosny Mubarak.
He plans to “reaffirm efforts towards peace and prosperity” and Washington’s “close work with regional allies to combat terrorism and promote freedom,” the White House said in a statement.
Bush will also speak at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Sharm el Sheikh, slated for May 18-20.
The White House previously announced Bush’s plans to be in Israel for its 60th anniversary celebration May 14. But the trip has been expanded and will span May 13-18.
In Israel, Bush plans to meet with Israel’s President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and address the Knesset, Israeli parliament.
In Saudi Arabia, Bush will meet with King Abdullah and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of US-Saudi relations, the White House said.