A Middle East summit meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in May is under discussion, the Egyptian foreign ministry said Friday. Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki, quoted by the state news agency MENA, said the idea was to hold the summit on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum meeting which is taking place in the town between May 18 and 20. He did not say who might take part but MENA said the idea was to have US President George W. Bush and Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian leaders talk about Middle East peace. Diplomats and Palestinian officials said Wednesday that plans were under way for Bush to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and possibly other Arab leaders in Egypt in May. Such a summit would take place after Bush visits Israel to celebrate its 60th anniversary, they said. A diplomat involved in preparations for a gathering in Egypt said it would be held on May 18. “The meeting would focus on how to help Israel and the Palestinians reach an agreement on final status by the end of 2008,” he said. Meanwhile, the US State Department said Thursday it had advised former president Jimmy Carter against meeting the leader of Hamas in Syria next week, saying it went against US policy of isolating the group. Carter plans to visit Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan during a nine-day trip due to start Sunday but gave no details of specific meetings. “This is a study mission and our purpose is not to negotiate but to support and provide momentum for current efforts to secure peace in the Middle East,” the Carter Center said in a statement. “Our delegation has considerable experience in the region, and we go there with an open mind and heart to listen and learn from all parties,” it said. Carter, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, discussed with the State Department's point person on Israeli-Palestinian issues, David Welch, his plans to meet exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus, but the department said it went against US policy. __
