Jerusalem - US President George W Bush left Israel for Saudi Arabia Friday, ending a 48-hour visit marking the 60th anniversary of the state's founding. Bush wrapped up his visit to Israel by visiting a Biblical history museum and meeting Israeli youth in Jerusalem.
After a brief farewell ceremony at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport, the president and First Lady Laura Bush boarded Air Force One shortly before noon.
On the second leg of his five-day Middle East tour, Bush is to hold talks with Saudi King Abdullah, which mark the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of US-Saudi relations, and will focus on soaring oil prices, Iran's nuclear programme, ties with Iraq and Arab support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his negotiations with Israel.
Bush is to head for Sharm el-Sheikh on Saturday, where he is to meet other key Arab leaders attending an economic forum in the Egyptian Red Sea resort, including Iraqi Vice President Adil Abd al- Mahdi and Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.
Unlike during his first visit to Israel as president in January, Bush did not make a stop-over in Ramallah this time.
Instead, he is to meet Abbas and Acting Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Sharm el-Sheikh Saturday and Sunday, to be briefed by the Palestinian side on the talks they are conducting with Israel.
In an historic address to the Israeli parliament Thursday, Bush reaffirmed the US' "unbreakable" alliance with Israel.
"America is proud to be Israel's closest ally and best friend in the world," he told the Knesset. Bush also spoke out against negotiating with radical militant groups, including Hamas, and against "appeasing" Iran in its alleged efforts to obtain nuclear arms.
"Israel's population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you," he said to loud applause and cheering.
