Rice, Mubarak call Olmert, express concern for Sharon

[Behind the Aegis]

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Friday evening and expressed the concern of the U.S. administration and nation for Ariel Sharon. She told Olmert that Americans are praying for Sharon's well-being.

Olmert thanked Rice for her wishes and updated her on Sharon's condition. He said that concerns had been raised Friday morning when Sharon's condition had worsened, but that the successful completion of Sharon's operation was encouraging.

Olmert also asked Rice to relay to President George W. Bush that his warm words on Sharon had encouraged the entire country of Israel.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called Olmert on Friday evening to wish Sharon well. Mubarak told him that he was looking forward to continued cooperation with Israel and that good Israel-Egypt ties will continue.

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