Bush: I remain personally committed to two state solution

"I remain personally committed to implementing my vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," US President George W. Bush pledged in a statement released by the White House Sunday, ahead of the Annapolis conference.

Bush said the conference would signal international support for the Israelis' and Palestinians' intention to commence negotiations on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the realization of peace between the two peoples.

"The broad attendance at this conference by regional states and other key international participants demonstrates the international resolve to seize this important opportunity to advance freedom and peace in the Middle East," continued the statement.