Bush, Mubarak discuss Mideast issues, Darfur violence

U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday called his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak, claiming that Syria is interfering in Lebanon and hurting Mideast peace prospects by backing the radical Palestinian group Hamas.

In his 15-minute telephone conversation with Mubarak, Bush " made clear his view that Syria is continuing to interfere in Lebanese politics and is also standing in the way of progress in Israeli-Palestinian affairs through its support of Hamas."

Hamas, known formally as the Islamic Resistance Movement, calls for the destruction of the state of Israel. Syria always denies U. S. allegations.

In addition, White House spokesman Tony Snow said, the two leaders discussed how to make progress in stopping violence in Darfur, Sudan.

"President Bush noted that his special envoy, Andrew Natsios, will be visiting Egypt within the next few days," Snow said.

Mubarak explained his recent conversations with Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir, said the spokesman.

Source: Xinhua (a title similar to "Chief Minister") Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Since 2001, Malaysian police have cracked down against the KMM, which has links with the militant JI in southeast Asian region, whose objective is to topple the governments in this region by force, said the Bernama report.

About 70 people, including several lecturers and professionals who were involved in KMM activities, were arrested in a police dragnet, said the report.

Source: Xinhua