Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) meets with visiting US Mideast envoy William Burns at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Sept. 12, 2004. Burns' visit is part of his tour aiming to arrange for the Quartet Committee's meeting due to be held late September. (Xinhua Photo)


William Burns speaks to reporters after a meeting with Mubarak.(Xinhua Photo)

   CAIRO, Sept. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met Sunday with visiting US Mideast envoy William Burns over the volatile Mideast situation.

   Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Burns said he discussed with Mubarak a number of issues of mutual interest and the need to support the Iraqi government in establishing peace in the country.

   He said their meeting also focused on joint efforts to revive hope for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

   The US envoy also voiced Washington's appreciation of Egypt's role in peace-making in the region.

   He said a promised Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip was also discussed, and the Israeli move should be a step toward implementing the roadmap peace plan and reviving negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel.

   He said he was looking forward to holding talks in Cairo within the framework of the Mideast quartet to prepare for a meeting due in New York next week.

   He said during their meeting, he briefed Mubarak on his visits to Syria, Jordan and Iraq before he came to Egypt.

   Burns arrived here Saturday night.  Enditem