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Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Qatar on Saturday. (AP) Last update - 01:30 18/05/2008 Bush tells Palestinians he's 'absolutely committed' to peace deal By News Agencies Tags: Hezbollah, Lebanon, Civil War  President Bush, trying to reassure Palestinians wary of his dedication to their side in the Mideast peace dispute, said Saturday that he is "absolutely committed" to getting an Israeli-Palestinian accord by the end of the year. "It breaks my heart to see the vast potential of the Palestinian people, really, wasted," Bush said at the side of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He spoke of a peace deal after the two leaders met in the president's villa at this beach resort town on the Red Sea. "It would be an opportunity to end the suffering that takes place in the Palestinian territories," Bush assured. Advertisement Bush and Abbas met for nearly an hour before speaking briefly to reporters. They then strolled back inside - holding hands as they walked slowly down a bouganveilla-lined path - for a private dinner. The talks were a followup to Bush's celebratory two-day stay earlier this week in Israel for its 60th anniversary. His emotional comments about Palestinian suffering were his effort to counter the impression in the Arab world that he tilts too far toward Israel and its concerns. In a much-anticipated speech Thursday to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Bush showered Israel with praise, strongly reiterated its right to defend itself and only gently urged leaders to "make the hard choices necessary," without mention of concrete steps. By contrast, he did not visit the Palestinian territories nor mention the Palestinians' plight. He spoke of them only in one sentence saying that Israel's 120th anniversary - in 2068 - would see it neighboring an independent Palestinian state. Bush's arrival in Egypt was met with stinging criticism by the country's state-owned newspapers, which are run by government-appointed managers. "Bush aims to do nothing but appeasing Israel," wrote Mursi Atallah, the publisher of Al-Ahram, the flagship daily of the state-owned press. But Abbas glowingly praised Bush's dedication to the talks, launched between the two sides in November for the first time in seven years, and the goal of state defined for Palestinians by the end of Bush's term. "We know very well that you personally, as well as your administration, are committed to reach peace before the end of 2008," Abbas said. "We are working very seriously and very aggressively with the hope that we will be able to achieve this objective." The other topic that dominated their talks, Bush said, was the recent turmoil in Lebanon, perceived by the United States and many in the Sunni Arab world as a demonstration of Shiite-controlled Iran's quest for more influence in the region. Bush said he and Abbas agreed on their concern about "radical elements undermining" the U.S.-backed government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. The militant group Hezbollah overran Beirut neighborhoods last week in protest of measures aimed at the group by Saniora's government, a display of power that shocked and concerned the West. The violence only ended when Lebanon's Cabinet reversed the measures and Saniora's government reached a deal with the Shiite militant group, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. The two sides met behind closed doors in Qatar on Saturday. Bush is hoping to lessen the impact of Hezbollah's victory, and argued as he has in the past that Hezbollah "can no long justify its position as a defender against Israel when it turns on its own people." "This is a defining moment," he said. "It is a moment that requires us to stand strongly with the Saniora government and to support the Saniora government." Bush had planned to meet with Saniora on Sunday, but the session was canceled. Bush accused "radical elements" of trying to undermine the Lebanese government. "It's a defining moment," he said. Leaders of Lebanon's U.S.-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition met behind closed doors in Qatar on Saturday for the highest-level talks so far in the 18-month-long political crisis in Lebanon. The Doha-hosted meeting on forming a national unity government and electing a president was agreed under a deal, mediated by the Arab League, to end Lebanon's worst violence since the 1975-1990 civil war. But the government side raised the stakes on the Doha talks Saturday, insisting they must tackle the issue of the weapons used by the Iranian-backed militant Hezbollah, considered a terrorist group by the United States. Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh told The Associated Press from Qatar that the talks would - along with the unity government and a new election law - discuss Hezbollah's use of its weapons to achieve internal political aims in the wake of recent violence. Hamadeh said he expects three critical days before the sides reach any sort of compromise on the standoff that has pushed Lebanon to the brink of an all-out conflict. Lebanon's crisis has paralyzed the country and left it without a president since pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term ended last November. A week ago, the standoff dissolved into violence when the government passed measures to rein in Hezbollah, whose fighters then responded by overrunning neighborhoods of west Beirut in clashes that left 67 people dead and over 200 wounded. The violence eventually forced the government to revoke the measures, making it a major victory for Hezbollah and indicating that the militant group had gained the upper hand in the power struggle. The feuding Lebanese factions arrived in Qatar Friday, where Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani welcomed them saying he hoped the Lebanese would come to an agreement and prevent further clashes in their country. Hardline Christian pro-government politician Samir Geagea warned Hezbollah that the talks would fail if the group sticks to keeping its arsenal in defiance of state authority. "We can no longer accept Hezbollah as it is," Geagea told the Qatari Al-Jazeera" TV. The opposition side, represented by pro-Syrian Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and three Hezbollah lawmakers, had no immediate comments. Under the Arab League deal, the talks in Doha would lead to the election of compromise candidate Army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman as Lebanese president. Lebanon's crisis, sparked by the resignation from Cabinet of six Hezbollah ministers in November 2006, has wider regional implications. Washington and Saniora's faction have accused Iran and Syria of seeking to undermine the government and Middle East stability, while Hezbollah accuses the prime minister and his allies in the anti-Syrian coalition of toeing the pro-American line. U.S. President George W. Bush and Saudi King Abdullah shared their concerns over the Lebanon violence during a meeting Friday in Riyadh, Bush's national security adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters. The two were concerned the Lebanon events would embolden Iran, Hadley said, adding that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia both condemn what Hezbollah did in bringing pressure on the duly elected government of Lebanon. Related articles: Hezbollah declares crisis over after Lebanon gov't climb-down Lebanon crisis / Waiting for the third bell Hezbollah, the only party in Lebanon Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   Hizb ollah- normalcy? Nah! 13:45  |  Sttar of David 17/05/08   2.   The crisis is already over. Hizbollah won. 15:12  |  Natallie Durson 17/05/08   3.   Welcome to HEZBANON 19:49  |  Dan 17/05/08   4.   Told you so 21:13  |  Michael 17/05/08   5.   NEW ELECTION LAW TOP PRIORITY FOR LEBANESE 22:16  |  Arik Silverman 17/05/08   6.   Bush and Abbas holding hands... 01:26  |  Maureen Ann 18/05/08   7.   Lebanon is now de facto a Hezbollah State Because 01:30  |  Joseph . E 18/05/08   8.   buffoon 02:04  |  curious george 18/05/08   9.   Hezbollah`s days are numbered. They only serve to unite Israel 02:45  |  and the Lebanese 18/05/08   10.   With Israel`s influence Bush is absolutely committed to 02:50  |  Harold 18/05/08   11.   Believe Bush when he forces halt of settlement expansion 02:54  |  Observer 18/05/08   12.   Sure don`t look like no Texas Cowboy there, now don`t ya know :) 03:16  |  Piece of work that 18/05/08   13.   He is NOT commited to dividing Jerusalem. 03:40  |  If he really wants 18/05/08   14.   I am absolutely committed to my penis 04:46  |  TOO! 18/05/08   15.   No Peace Until Hezbollah/Hamas Destroyed 05:17  |  Observing Observer 18/05/08   16.   committed 07:36  |  colin 18/05/08   17.   HEZBANON 12:59  |  Harry 18/05/08   18.   BUSH IS ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO HIS CURSED PIECE PLAN;ANOTHER... 04:19  |  glenna 17/06/08

Read & React Rice to Israel: 'Extremely important' to grant Gaza Fulbright students exit visas Responses: 169 Akiva Eldar: Our fixation on Iran leads world to see Israel as the cause of tension Responses: 168 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon Responses: 98 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing for return of troops Responses: 80 Battle of the attitude: Israeli girls vs. American Jews Responses: 93 Rosner's Domain Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran New Guests: What young Jewish American want World: U.S policy "will change for the better" (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? More Headlines 03:52 Israeli sources: Prisoner swap with Hezbollah likely next week 01:09 UN special envoy criticizes Israel for talks with Syria 23:59 Heftziba CEO Yona, who left hundreds homeless, gets 7 years in jail under plea deal 02:06 U.S. official: W. Bank still same after Israel lifted roadblocks 21:13 Iran, fearing sanctions, said to have pulled $75b from EU banks 22:59 UN official who compared Israel to Nazis turns the spotlight on Palestinians 04:26 Receding Lake Kinneret shoreline reveals mysterious stone patterns 23:42 Bush, Musharraf, Ahmadinejad top least-trusted leaders list 02:36 Police ignored murdered lawyer's complaint that his life was in peril 22:57 Deputy Defense Min.: Residents of southern Israel should stop complaining about Qassams 04:11 B'Tselem cameras pay off for victims of settler attacks 00:37 Rice, in Beirut, voices U.S. backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power 21:21 Katsav lawyers slam 'public lynch' over sex crime charges 21:26 Nazi sheltered by Austria as too ill for trial, seen enjoying Euro 2008 21:42 Haredis won't protest Jerusalem Gay Pride parade to minimize its publicity Previous Editions Select Day 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun

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