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Bush ends Mid-East tour in Egypt | Bush ends Mid-East tour in Egypt |
(19 minutes later) | |
US President George W Bush is wrapping up his eight-day tour of the Middle East with a brief stop in Egypt. | US President George W Bush is wrapping up his eight-day tour of the Middle East with a brief stop in Egypt. |
He flew from Saudi Arabia to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. From there he heads home to Washington. | He flew from Saudi Arabia to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. From there he heads home to Washington. |
Analysts say relations between the two allies have cooled, particularly over US calls for Egypt to do more to secure its border with the Gaza Strip. | Analysts say relations between the two allies have cooled, particularly over US calls for Egypt to do more to secure its border with the Gaza Strip. |
During his trip, Mr Bush also visited Israel, the West Bank and Gulf states. | During his trip, Mr Bush also visited Israel, the West Bank and Gulf states. |
On the final leg of his 14,500-mile (23,300-km) journey, the White House says Mr Bush will thank the Egyptians for their support on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. | On the final leg of his 14,500-mile (23,300-km) journey, the White House says Mr Bush will thank the Egyptians for their support on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. |
Little time | Little time |
But the BBC's Matthew Price, who is travelling with Mr Bush, has been told that the US president will be stressing the need for security in the Gaza Strip. | But the BBC's Matthew Price, who is travelling with Mr Bush, has been told that the US president will be stressing the need for security in the Gaza Strip. |
This means pushing Cairo to do more to stop militants smuggling weapons from Egypt into the Palestinian territory, our correspondent says. | This means pushing Cairo to do more to stop militants smuggling weapons from Egypt into the Palestinian territory, our correspondent says. |
Last month, the US Congress suspended $100m (£51m) of its annual military aid to Egypt, demanding that Cairo crack down on arms smuggling into Gaza, which has been under the control of Hamas since June. | Last month, the US Congress suspended $100m (£51m) of its annual military aid to Egypt, demanding that Cairo crack down on arms smuggling into Gaza, which has been under the control of Hamas since June. |
A protest against Mr Bush's visit was staged on the eve of his arrival | |
Our correspondent says Mr Bush will also discuss democracy - or more accurately, the lack of it - in Egypt. | Our correspondent says Mr Bush will also discuss democracy - or more accurately, the lack of it - in Egypt. |
The White House has in the past raised concerns over Egypt's human rights record and court cases against the independent press. | The White House has in the past raised concerns over Egypt's human rights record and court cases against the independent press. |
But with Mr Bush scheduled to stop for barely four hours, correspondents say the two leaders are not expected to make much headway on any issue. | But with Mr Bush scheduled to stop for barely four hours, correspondents say the two leaders are not expected to make much headway on any issue. |
Egypt's banned opposition Muslim Brotherhood - which controls a fifth of the seats in parliament - staged a protest in Cairo on Tuesday against the visit. | Egypt's banned opposition Muslim Brotherhood - which controls a fifth of the seats in parliament - staged a protest in Cairo on Tuesday against the visit. |
During his tour of Israel and the West Bank, Mr Bush predicted that a peace deal could be sealed before his term ends in January 2009. | During his tour of Israel and the West Bank, Mr Bush predicted that a peace deal could be sealed before his term ends in January 2009. |
On his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, the US president raised concerns over oil prices. | On his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, the US president raised concerns over oil prices. |
He also criticised Iran and spoke about progress in Iraq during his tour, which included Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. | He also criticised Iran and spoke about progress in Iraq during his tour, which included Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. |