Washington: US President George W Bush on March 14 said that the "roadmap" for Middle East peace, prepared in close co-operation with Russia, European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), will be published immediately upon confirmation of the Palestinian Prime Minister.

Bush said he expects that the new Palestinian Prime Minister, who must hold a position of real authority, will be confirmed soon.

"We expect that such a Palestinian Prime Minister will be confirmed soon... Immediately upon confirmation, the roadmap for peace will be given to the Palestinians and the Israelis," Bush said with Secretary of State Colin Powell by his side in the Rose Garden of the White House.

"We have reached a hopeful moment for progress towards the vision of Middle Eastern peace that I outlined last June," said Bush, who recalled that he spoke then of the day two states - Israel and Palestine - live side by side in peace and security.

PTI