Mubarak welcomes Bush's statements on establishing Palestinian State

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak welcomed on Friday US President George Bush's statements before the UN General Assembly on Thursday, where he stressed US commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State

In exclusive statements to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) Editor-in-Chief, President Mubarak praised President Bush's leaving the door ajar to solve the Iraqi problem by emphasizing the pivotal role that should be undertaken by the UN in this regard. President Mubarak asked the Iraqi leadership to seize the opportunity and implement the UN Security Council relevant resolutions.

Commenting on President Bush's speech, Mubarak said "I listened earnestly to President Bush's speech and I would like to welcome the positive points he mentioned." "First, I welcome his (Bush) emphasis on the US commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State side by side with Israel and his holding the parties concerned responsible for achieving this goal." The President voiced hope that the peace process would gain a strong momentum with an active involvement by the US.

"Second, I welcome President Bush's statements on Iraq and his leaving the door ajar for a vital role to be played by the UN, especially the Security Council," added Mubarak. "This would hopefully help find a way out that would spare all parties the negative repercussions which might be spawned by the escalation. It will also retain the sovereignty and integrity of Iraq," said Mubarak.

Mubarak asked the Iraqi leadership to capitalize on this opportunity and implement all UN Security Council relevant resolutions and accept return of weapons' inspectors immediately so that dangerous escalation would be avoided. He added that Iraq’s compliance would ultimately help the region evade the extremely negative consequences that would tamper with its safety and security, especially the Iraqi people.