Mubarak informs Bush of worries over Iraq, confers Mideast

By: Mohamed Ali

CRAWFORD, Texas: Visiting President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak told US President George W. Bush during their private meeting at Bush's ranch on Monday that he was deeply concerned about the Iraq crisis urging Washington to hand back sovereignty “as soon as possible.”

The two leaders also discussed Palestinian situation, prospects for reviving Mideast peace efforts and Israel's plan to close 21 Jewish settlements in Gaza, and said they would welcome an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as a positive step toward a Middle East peace agreement and a future Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is set to meet Bush at the White House on Wednesday, followed by Jordan's King Abdullah II on April 21. Palestinian foreign minister Nabil Shaath is due in Washington April 19-25, when he will meet Secretary of State Colin Powell.

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Bush says nothing warned of 9/11, tags Iraq violence right

FORT HOOD, Texas: Us President George W. Bush on Sunday braced his nation for the possibility of more American casualties in Iraq and said the US-led mission is just.

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