Region | Palestinian Territories

Bush shifts focus to West Bank

US President George W. Bush arrived at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' headquarters on Thursday for his first-ever visit to the Palestinian territories.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 12:10 January 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: AP
  • US President George W. Bush arrived in Ramallah on Thursday by a heavily-guarded motorcade from Occupied Jerusalem.

Ramallah: US President George W. Bush arrived at Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' headquarters on Thursday for his first-ever visit to the Palestinian territories.

Abbas greeted Bush as he emerged from his car in the walled compound at Muqata in Ramallah. The two men walked side by side along a red carpet, flanked by Palestinian security.

Bush aims to nudge Israel and the Palestinians into serious negotiations that would result in a two-state deal before he leaves office in a year.

Abbas is hoping Bush's visit to Ramallah will boost his own standing among Palestinians, who are desperate for progress towards an end to Israeli occupation,

Bush travelled by heavily-guarded motorcade from Occupied Jerusalem to Ramallah after inclement weather forced officials to change plans to fly him there by helicopter.

Palestinian officials said Abbas would renew complaints to Bush about Jewish settlement growth and also demand an easing of Israeli military roadblocks.

Bush held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem on Wednesday, saying he was "very hopeful" about prospects for peace.

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