United States President George W. Bush on Wednesday arrived in Israel to participate in celebrations of the country's 60th anniversary.

Bush addressed the assembled Israeli dignitaries at Ben Gurion international airport, stating: "Our two nations both faced great challenges when they were founded. And our two nations have both relied on the same principles to help us succeed."

"We built strong democracies to protect the freedoms given to us by an almighty God," he said at the red-carpet ceremony.

Shortly after Bush was flown by helicopter to Jerusalem and after a brief stop at the King David Hotel, will visit President Shimon Peres at the presidential residence and from there meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at his Jerusalem residence. In the evening the US President will speak at the Faces of Tomorrow conference in the capital on Sixty Years of Friendship between the US and Israel.05/14/08