U.S. President Bush called on Israel on Saturday to withdraw without delay from Palestinian cities it has occupied in its military campaign and insisted again that the Palestinian leadership order an immediate cease-fire and crack down on “terrorist activity.”
"My words to Israel are the same today as they were a couple of days ago: withdraw without delay," Bush declared at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In his opening statement, Bush said he and Blair have agreed on what each side must do. Palestinians must order "an immediate and effective cease-fire" and control terrorists.
"And we agree that Israel should halt incursions in the Palestinian-controlled areas and begin to withdraw without delay from those cities it has recently occupied," Bush said, emphasizing the words "without delay."
Furthermore, Bush called on Arab nation "to step up and lead: to lead against terror, to get an immediate cease-fire."
On Iraq, Bush said he explained to Blair that the "policy of my government is the removal" of leader Saddam Hussein and that all options are on the table.
Blair told reporters, "It has always been our policy that Iraq would be better without Saddam Hussein. How we now proceed in this situation ... that is a matter that is open for discussions."
Added Bush: "We support regime change." (Albawaba.com)
