US President Mr George W. Bush phoned Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat today and urged him to help stop the violence in the region, a White House official said.
Mr Bush, who has taken a cautious approach to involvement in the Middle East, telephoned the Palestinian leader shortly before a car bomb exploded Jerusalem, injuring at least one person.
"He urged Mr Arafat to make every effort to help stop the violence and calm the situation," said Ms Mary Ellen Countryman, spokeswoman for the National Security Council at the White House.
"The president reiterated our support for a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians," she said of the conversation - the first between the men since Mr Bush took office.
Palestinian news agency WAFA quoted Mr Arafat's senior adviser, Nabil Abu Rdainah, as saying the two leaders discussed Mideast peacemaking especially after Mr Sharon's election on Tuesday.
Reuters
