A spokesperson for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said Wednesday night that the United States had assured him in a phone call that direct talks between Israel and Palestinian Authority would begin soon. U.S. President Barack Obama told Mubarak that the U.S. was committed to the direct talks as a way to resolve the Middle East conflict.

The spokesperson said that Obama had made several “guarantees” to Mubarak on the subject, but did not specify what they were. In addition, he said, Mubarak received a letter signed by Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “signaling” the commitment of the United States to the establishment of an Arab state in Judea and Samaria.