Bush: Mubarak first class statesman

US President George Bush expressed appreciation to President Hosni Mubarak and his outstanding role in Mideast peace process.

During his visit to the Pharaonic section in the British Museum in London, Bush described Mubarak as a first class statesman.

Bush has requested to put the visit to the pharaonic collection in the British Museum on the agenda of his visit to London.

Head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Gaballah Ai Gaballah, who is currently paying a visit to Britain, received the US President at the British Museum. Bush told Gaballah of his high esteem for President Mubarak and his role in the Middle East peace process.

Bush said he maintains contacts with President Mubarak to discuss the developments in the peace process and establishing peace in the region.

The US President expressed his fascination will Egypt and its civilization, as he listened to Gaballah's comments on the pharaonic collection in the British Museum.

Bush said Egypt is a great county that has special history. He remained for a long time in front of Rosetta stone and appreciated it as it was the means by which hieroglyphic was deciphered.