Middle East peace moves step closer

ARAB leaders yesterday endorsed US President George Bush’s road map to peace in the Middle East and called on Israel to live up to its side of the deal.

Bush met the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and Palestinian premier Mahmoud Abbas to set the stage for today's crucial three-way summit with the Israeli and Palestinian leadership.

"We seek true peace, not just a pause between more wars and intefadehs, but a permanent reconciliation among the peoples of the Middle East," Mr. Bush said, making his first major foray into Mideast peacemaking.