U.S. George W. Bush met Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday, discussing the fight against terrorism and other issues of common concern.

After the meeting with Bush, Mahathir told reporters that he and Bush focused their talks on the fight against terrorism with Bush thanking Malaysia for the support Malaysia extended to the United States following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In the talks, Mahathir said there is a need to eliminate the root cause of terrorism, which is more effective than attacks on innocent country.

Mahathir also explained to Bush why Malaysia could not back the U.S. military operations against Afghanistan.

On the Middle East, Mahathir urged the United States to try to end the violence quickly and restart the stalled peace process so that a Palestine state can be founded as soon as possible.

Bush said Washington is always doing so.

Mahathir told Bush that Malaysia is supporting the Indonesian government led by President Megawati Soekarnoputri and hopes the situation in Indonesia to improve.

Bush described the meeting as "good."

(Xinhua News Agency 10/20/2001)