President Bush reaffirms his two-state vision

Rami Almeghari , IMEMC & Agencies, 25/09/07. President Gorge. W. Bush reiterated Monday his two-state vision for the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “ I appreciate the fact that you are fighting the extremists who oppose peace” , Bush told Abbas. Meanwhile, President Abbas expressed an optimistic tone regarding the upcoming peace conference. “The meeting should be the precursor to full negotiations on the permanent status, we have faith and trust," Abbas said.

President Bush, right, President Abbas, left, during their meeting Monday

Bush’s remarks came during a joint press briefing with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas following a one-hour-long meeting on the sideline of United Nations General Assembly’s annual session in New York.

Bush told reporters “I believe that the two-state solution is workable”.

The U.S president did not refer to the Washington-sponsored conference on Middle East peace, scheduled for this November.

“ I appreciate the fact that you are fighting the extremists who oppose peace” , Bush told Abbas.

Meanwhile, President Abbas expressed an optimistic tone regarding the upcoming peace conference. “The meeting should be the precursor to full negotiations on the permanent status, we have faith and trust," Abbas said.

Also, a separate meeting involving President Bush, President Abbas and Palestinian Prime Mistier, Salam Fayyad, was held yesterday.

Preparations for the likely conference, such as a specific agenda and number or identities of invitees, have not been made public yet