Bush tries to convince Arab sceptics on peace push

By Matt Spetalnick and Tabassum Zakaria

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush sought to reassure sceptical Arabs on Sunday he is committed to securing a deal on Palestinian statehood before he leaves office, despite his outspoken support for Israel.

Wrapping up his Middle East tour in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Bush was looking to ease Palestinian dismay over his visit to Israel, where he lavished the Jewish state with praise, hailing it as a "homeland for the chosen people".

Bush used a speech to a mostly Arab audience at the World Economic Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday to insist he "firmly believes" a Middle East peace agreement can be reached this year -- a deadline widely viewed as unrealistic.

Highly unpopular in the Muslim world because of the Iraq war, Bush alternately prodded and encouraged Arab allies on everything from oil to political reform, and urged them to isolate U.S. foes Syria and Iran for "supporting terrorism".

"We must stand with the Palestinian people, who have suffered for decades and earned the right to a homeland of their own," Bush said at the end of a five day Middle East tour.

Adjusting his approach from the one taken on his visit to Israel for its 60th anniversary, Bush pressed Palestinians to "fight terror" and called on Israel to make "tough sacrifices for peace and ease restrictions on Palestinians".

He was alluding to the hardship Palestinians face from Israeli roadblocks and barriers in the occupied West Bank, measures they call collective punishment but which Israel says are to defend it against militant attacks.

Bush's more sympathetic words to the Palestinians, appeared aimed at countering Arab doubts, reinforced by his Israel visit, about his ability to act as an even-handed peacebroker.