US President George W. Bush on Thursday named Lt. Gen. William Fraser III, assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to monitor progress that Israelis and Palestinians sides are making on the peace process known as the "road map," a US official told The Associated Press.
During a meeting in Ramallah, Bush told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the position being filled by Fraser, who is expected to return to the region before the end of the month, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the White House has not formally announced the appointment.
Fraser has traveled with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region. Bush briefly alluded to Fraser's role in a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier on Thursday.
Bush said he had introduced Abbas to the "three-star Air Force General who will be running this process," meaning the process by which the United States will try to help Israelis and Palestinians resolve their differences.
