US President George W. Bush says the United States will not prejudice the outcome of final negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

He stresses the final status of the occupied-Palestinian territories by Israel will be solved through talks between all parties according to relevant UN resolutions.

Bush offered the assurances to Jordan's King Abdullah in writing, and said he would soon send a separate letter to Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie.

Bush delighted Israelis and enraged Palestinians last month when he gave Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon letters saying Israel could not be expected to give up all its settlements or accept the return of Palestinian refugees.

Responding to Arab and European complaints, President Bush also urged Israel to withdraw from territory captured in the 1967 War and return the land to the Palestinians for a state.

Bush reaffirmed his endorsement of Sharon's plan to withdraw all Israeli troops and 7,500 Jewish settlers from Gaza and to pull out of parts of the West Bank, saying it was a "bold plan" that could make a real contribution to peace.

Abdullah said any unilateral Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank should be part of a U.S.-backed peace plan known as the "road map."

The U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly affirmed the right of Palestinians to sovereignty over their territory seized by Israel in 1967.

The 191-nation assembly voted 140-6, with 11 abstentions, to adopt a resolution.

The resolution also made clear that Israel could not speak for the occupied territories at the United Nations.

Source: CRIEnglish