ATHENS: The Middle East summit in Annapolis could lead to ”comprehensive peace” in the region, including Syria and Lebanon, President Hosni Mubarak said Monday.

Mubarak said last week’s US-hosted conference ”will lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state and will open the way to comprehensive peace on the other two axes – Syria and Lebanon.” He did not elaborate.Mubarak met President Karolos Papoulias at the start of a three-day visit to Greece. Their talks included the Middle East peace process and developments in Iraq, Darfur and Somalia, as well as cooperation between Mediterranean countries.

Papoulias said the Annapolis summit was ”a first step of progress.” -AP