Saudi welcomes Bush WASIA peace conference plan

RIYADH, July 17 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia welcomed today a call by US President George W Bush for a West Asia peace conference, urging wide international backing to avoid repeating the failures of earlier initiatives.

''(The call) has important positive elements ... in line with the Arab peace initiative,'' the Saudi Press Agency quoted an official statement as saying.

''The kingdom hopes that it (the conference) would be part of a serious international effort tackling core issues of the conflict ... especially after the failure of partial solutions,'' it said, calling on Palestinians to unite to pave the way for such a solution.

Bush yesterday called for a meeting later this year between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and their neighbours, reiterated support for the government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and reaffirmed his vision for a Palestinian state at peace with Israel.

Saudi Arabia was the driving force behind the 2002 Arab initiative offering Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for a full withdrawal from the lands it seized in the 1967 West Asia war, the creation of a Palestinian state and a ''just solution'' for Palestinian refugees.

After the violent takeover of the Gaza Strip by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas last month, Western countries have rallied behind Abbas with promises of renewed aid.

US allies such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt have long wanted Bush to get more involved in West Asia peacemaking. He is due to leave office in 18 months.

Reuters JK VP0053