(dpa) - 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, the President meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in addition to meeting with Egyptian
President Hosny Mubarak.
He plans to "reaffirm efforts toward peace and prosperity" and Washington's "close work with regional allies to combat terrorism and promote
freedom," the White House statement said.
Bush will also speak at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Sharm el
Sheikh, slated for May 18 to 20.
The White House previously announced Bush's plans to be in Israel for its 60th anniversary celebration on May 14.
The expanded trip will span May 13 to 18.
In Israel, Bush plans to meet with Israel's President Shimon Peres and Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and address the Knesset.
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.