US President George W. Bush called Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ehud Barak today and told him the United States wanted to see peace in the Middle East based on a secure Israel.
"The president expressed a desire for a strong, close relationship with Israel and a desire to see peace in the region based on a secure Israel," Ms Mary Ellen Countryman, a spokeswoman for the White House's National Security Council, said.
Countryman said the 7-minute call was mainly an introductory conversation. Bush has made a dozen such calls to foreign leaders since taking office last Saturday.
Mr Bush's predecessor former President Clinton was heavily involved in trying to secure a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Mr Bush has dedicated his first week mostly to domestic policy.
Reuters