By ADNAN MALIK, Associated Press Writer
MANAMA, Bahrain - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites) engaged Persian Gulf leaders Wednesday in an effort to build momentum toward peace in the Middle East, calling for support of the new Palestinian leadership and talking up the prospects of an Israeli-Palestinian settlement.
Bahrain's king indicated he shared the new optimism about the peace process.
"There is an opportunity (for peace) and hopefully it will not be squandered as many have been," the king, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, told reporters after Mubarak arrived in his country.