MIDDLE EAST: President George Bush said yesterday the next step after Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would be establishing a working Palestinian government there, and suggested more confidence-building was needed before jump-starting the "road map" peace process.
"Of course you want to get back to the road map," Mr Bush told reporters. "But I understand that for this process to go forward there must be confidence that the Palestinian people would have in their own government to perform; the confidence with the Israelis that they'll see a peaceful state emerging.
"And, therefore, it's very important for the world to stay focused on Gaza and helping the Gaza economy get going, helping rebuild the settlements for the people of Gaza," Mr Bush said at a resort in Donnelly, Idaho. "So what must take place next is the establishment of a working government in Gaza, a government that responds to the people."
Mr Bush also called for a renewed push to consolidate Palestinian security forces. He said these forces were divided into factions and not designed to "protect the overall security of the Palestinian people." - (Reuters)