WASHINGTON, Oct 12: US President George W. Bush on Thursday reiterated his support for a Palestinian state as long as it recognizes Israel’s right to exist and said he was taking “seriously” Syria’s offer to help in the global war on terrorism.

“I believe there ought to be a Palestinian state, the boundaries of which will be negotiated by the parties so long as the Palestinian state recognizes the right of Israel to exist, and will treat Israel with respect, and will be peaceful on her borders,” Bush said in his first prime-time nationally televised press conference.

Israeli press reports said Bush was preparing to become further involved in a region that he had largely left to itself before the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington.

They said he would push for establishing a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, the aim of the Palestinians but anathema to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government.

To add insult to injury, the reports said the plan had been communicated to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, but not to Israel.

Last week, Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell said a Palestinian state had always been part of their vision for the Middle East, triggering an angry response from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Critics saw the endorsement of a Palestinian state as a bid to enlist Arab and Muslim backing in the coalition targeting the Taliban and Osama bin Laden.

The US endorsement of a Palestinian state has been welcomed by Arab countries but prompted alarm in Israel where officials said they believed it could be seen as a victory for Osama bin Laden.

Asked whether he would consider meeting with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Bush replied: “If I am convinced that a meeting with a particular party at this point in time will further the process, I will do so. If it turns out to be an empty photo opportunity that creates expectations that will become dashed, I won’t meet.”

“I hope he (Arafat)’s taking measures necessary to reduce the violence in the ME so that we can get into the Mitchell process,” Bush said.—AFP