Mubarak: Obama different than Bush

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, hinting at his vision for Middle East peace ahead of a planned trip to Washington, said he saw a new approach from US President Barack Obama compared to George W. Bush, whom he said had not made any progress during eight years.

"The previous administration went on for eight years but the Palestinian issue did not move one centimeter," Mubarak said. "I can't tell you specifically, but without a doubt Obama is different from Bush. Obama is precise in everything and behaves with logic and wisdom."

Mubarak said he was hopeful that Obama could make progress on Middle East peace because he was willing to sit down and listen to the views of the countries in the region, which would help him "formulate an idea on how to forge the road of peace."

'Waste of time'

Meanwhile, the Egyptian leader told Israel it must make progress on a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and stop building settlements or risk a militant resurgence and forfeit chances of furthering Arab ties.

"A two-state solution has become fixed in people's conscience," Mubarak told Israeli television during a visit to Egypt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

"If you want to flip things around and seek one state, things will not proceed and it will be a waste of time," Mubarak said, according to a transcript of his remarks on Egyptian state news agency MENA.

"What would harm you in a two-state solution? You will live in peace and they will live in peace. Just as you cooperate now together. That is not a problem," Mubarak added.

Netanyahu has yet to publicly endorse creating a Palestinian state despite pressure from Washington and other allies, and did not do so in his comments after talks with Mubarak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.