News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) American President George W. Bush told Israeli reporters in Washington Monday that the Middle East peace process is not dependent on one man, neither Prime Minister Ehud Olmert nor Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He also mentioned the names of Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, chairman of the Labor party, as two potential leaders if the current criminal investigation against Prime Minister Olmert forces him out of office.

Regarding Syria, President Bush he never told Israel not to negotiate with Syria but would expect an "explanation" because he is aware that Syria is trying to use Israel as an opening for closer relations with the United States.