Mubarak meets Bush ahead of summit

US President George W

US President George W. Bush and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met in Egypt this morning ahead of today's US-Arab summit that will discuss efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In tight security in the Red Sea resort of Sharmel-Sheikh, US officials said the pair had begun talks before a broader meeting to include leaders from Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the Palestinian prime minister.

Mr Bush is seeking Arab support for the US-backed Middle East peace "road map" that outlines reciprocal steps by Palestinians and Israelis leading to a Palestinian state by 2005.