U.S.-EGYPT WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER TO END VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST

The United States and Egypt are working together closely to try to end the violence in the Middle East and bring peace to the region, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters.

Bush phoned Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak early December 6 to review the situation in the Middle East and praised his "courageous leadership," Fleischer said, noting that Mubarak has sent his Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on a visit to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Bush also discussed Egypt's economic situation with Mubarak and reaffirmed his desire to assist that country, Fleischer said. And he thanked Mubarak for Egypt's efforts in bringing peace to the Sudan.

BUSH BELIEVES ARAFAT CAN DO MUCH MORE

President Bush "has made it abundantly clear, and has not changed his views at all, that Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat needs to do more to bring about a secure environment in the Middle East," White House Press Secretary Fleischer said.

"The President is interested in results, and the President will be looking to make certain that Chairman Arafat takes enduring and long-term, real and meaningful actions so the terrorists who are trying to interrupt the peace process in the Middle East cannot be successful."

Bush "still is concerned that Palestinian jails are built with bars on the front and revolving doors on the back, and that is not a way to demonstrate a long-term commitment to peace, in the President's opinion," Fleischer said.

Asked to comment on Arafat's recent decision to put under house arrest Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, Fleischer said, "You know, as Secretary Powell said, there has been some progress. But the President is looking to make certain that there is real, meaningful, lasting peace -- efforts to achieve peace that can be measured on the ground. And the President believes that Chairman Arafat can continue to do much more."

TALIBAN LEADER MULLAH OMAR SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, FLEISCHER SAYS

The President has made it clear that those who harbor terrorists need to be brought to justice, Press Secretary Fleischer said, adding that applies to Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

But Fleischer said it was premature to discuss what form that would take since the situation on the ground in Afghanistan remains fluid.

"Mullah Omar is still fighting the United States. Mullah Omar has not been captured nor brought to justice. And until that happens, I think it's all pure speculation," Fleischer said.

"In the event that somebody is captured, careful and proper, deliberate decisions will be made about what course should come next. But that is not the case now because he remains a combatant against the United States and other nations."

News reports say that Mullah Omar is negotiating a surrender of his forces to Afghan opposition forces in the Kandahar area.

U.S. GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP ON THE WAY TO SAUDI ARABIA

Fleischer said that a group of Treasury Department, State Department and National Security Council officials is going to Saudi Arabia to discuss with Saudi officials the U.S.-led fight against terrorism.

The trip, Fleischer said, "is part of the ongoing cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the financial front in the war against terrorism."

BUSH MEETS WITH BOLIVIA'S PRESIDENT

Bush met December 6 in the Oval Office with Bolivia's President Jorge Fernando Rodriquez Nunez.

Prior to the early afternoon meeting, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said the two presidents would discuss U.S.-Bolivian cooperation in the war against terrorism and in the war against narcotics, as well as promotion of trade between the two nations.