U.S. President George W. Bush declared in farewell talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday that the vision of a Palestinian state remained alive. According to Reuters, Bush reiterated that the eventual creation of a democratic Palestinian state alongside Israel would help end decades of Middle East conflict.
"I believe that vision is alive and needs to be worked on," Bush told reporters as he and Olmert held a final meeting at the White House.
Olmert -- who will leave office after a Feb. 10 parliamentary election -- hailed Bush for setting the Annapolis process in motion and reaffirmed a two-state solution as the "only possible way" to achieve peace.
