US President George W Bush has said he hopes to make progress towards ending the Arab-Israeli conflict in 'the months ahead'.
He was speaking in Washington after talks with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr Bush said he saw a 'great chance' to create an independent Palestinian state living at peace with Israel by the time he leaves office in 2009. He pledged to work with European leaders toward that goal.
Looking to improve transatlantic ties strained by the war in Iraq, the US President said he hoped to visit Europe as soon as possible after his inauguration.
Mr Blair spoke of the need to work together to restore stability to Iraq, boost democracy in Afghanistan and revive the Middle East peace process.
He arrived at the White House last night, and is the first foreign leader to visit since President Bush's re-election.
