U.S. & World

(CBS) Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday endorsed U.S. hopes for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan this year and said he will work hand in hand with the United States and other nations to make it happen.

President Bush, closing his eight-day trip to the Mideast, said "nations in the neighborhood" are willing to help Israelis and Palestinians reach a Mideast peace deal.

Bush said he'll remain engaged in Mideast peacemaking, and return to the region.

"When I say I'm coming back to stay engaged, I mean it," Bush said. "When I say I'm optimistic we can get a deal done, I mean what I'm saying."

Mubarak said he stressed in his talks with Bush that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is at the core of problems and turmoil in the Middle East. Bush has expressed a desire to reach an agreement before he leaves office in January 2009.

"I also said that I wish that he will reach a peace agreement before the end of his term," Mubarak said, through a translator.

"We are keen on supporting peace efforts," Mubarak said. "We are ready, hand-in-hand with the United States of America," and others to work for the "sake of a comprehensive and just peace, to put an end to this Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to open new horizons for the Middle East for a more peaceful and secure future."

Bush said he is convinced that leaders in both Israel and the West Bank are committed to a two-state solution.

"I know nations in the neighborhood are willing to help, particularly yourself," Bush told Mubarak.

Standing alongside Mubarak, Bush urged greater political openness in Egypt, but did not directly criticize the Egyptian government for what the U.S. sees as a lack of political freedoms. Bush praised Egypt for taking some steps toward democratic reform, but said more was needed.

"I'm absolutely confident that people in the Middle East are working on building a society based on justice," Bush said.

Wrapping up his journey, which included a side trip to Baghdad by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bush said the fragile Iraqi government was making progress on political reconciliation.

"The government isn't perfect, but nevertheless, progress is being made," he said.

"Normal life is coming back, and political life is moving," Bush said, offering an upbeat take on a war that has drained public patience back home.

"The United States will continue to help the Iraqi people secure their democracy," Bush said.

Bush, who left Egypt after his remarks to return to Washington, also expressed support for the weak U.S.-backed government in Lebanon, and called on Syria and Iran to stop interfering in Beirut.

"We agreed it's important for nations in this region to support Prime Minister Fuad Saniora," Bush said. "It's important to encourage the holding of immediate, unconditional presidential elections according to the Lebanese constitution, and to make it clear to Syria, Iran and their allies they must end their interference and efforts to undermine the process."

CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports Mr. Bush arrived with the backdrop of "a rough patch in U.S.-Egyptian relations". At issue, says Maer, are American allegations that weapons and fighters have been smuggled into the Gaza Strip, held by militant group Hamas, via an Egyptian border crossing.

Another strain on the relationship has been Mr. Bush's recent, public voicing of concerns over Egypt's human rights record, adds Maer.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)