Saleh and Bush hold summit on common concerned topics

ASHINGTON, May 02 (Saba)- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and USA President George W. Bush held a summit on Wednesday in the White House on topics of common concern. The two leaders discussed mutual relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries in areas including political, economic, security and fighting terror. They confirmed their keenness to enhance friendly ties and partnership between the two countries to serve regional and international security and stability. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Somalia and Darfur of Sudan, in addition to discussing efforts for realizing peace in the area in light of the Arab Peace Initiative presented by the Custodian of the tow Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia. President Saleh expressed happiness for the results of his talks with American officials calling the American administration to play an active role in the region issue and to pressure Israel to accept the offered peace initiative. He confirmed that getting peace in the Middle East would strengthen efforts being exerted to crack down terrorism and make the region more secured and stable. He confirmed Yemen’s concern in realizing peace and stability in Somalia and the African Horn in general, confirming that Yemen is exerting extensive efforts to get reconciliation in Somalia. He urged the United States and the international community to help the provisional government in Somalia to reconstruct the country’s institutions and pass up bad consequences of conflict. For his part, president Bush praised Yemen’s achievements on the pathway to make reforms and build democracy. He congratulated Saleh on wining the Yemeni people’s trust for another seven-year term in presidency in the presidential elections carried out last September. He confirmed his country’s keenness to support Yemen’s efforts in the developmental process, boosting the democratic practice and combating terror. “The United States considers Yemen as an active partner in different fields, patricianly in war on terror”, said Bush. He also praised Yemen’s role in realizing regional security and peace, expressing his appreciation to its efforts to make peace in Somalia and the African Horn MS/NSSABA