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Bush full of thanks to Egypt's Mubarak

SHARM EL SHEIK, Egypt, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush departed Egypt Wednesday after speaking alongside Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, whom he thanked six times.

After Bush's three-hour visit, the leaders spoke to the media in the Red Sea coastal resort city of Sharm el Sheik. Mubarak said they had discussed Bush's eight-day Middle East tour and said Egypt supported Bush's drive and timeline on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

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"I emphasized that the Palestinian question ... is the core of problems and conflict in the Middle East," Mubarak said, adding, "I wish to reach a peace agreement before the end of his (Bush's) term" next January.

Bush then thanked Mubarak and Egypt six times and used the word "appreciate" 10 times.

"It's important for the people of Egypt to understand our nation respects you, respects your history, respects your traditions and respects your culture," Bush said.

Bush's tour began last week and included stops in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

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