BETHLEHEM, January 10, 2008 (WAFA) - U.S. President George W. Bush made a pilgrimage to the traditional birthplace of Jesus on Thursday in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

President Bush was received by Palestinian Minister of Tourism Kholoud Du'ebes and a number of Christian priests.

Bush said "some day, I hope that as a result of the formation of a Palestinian state, there won't be walls, and checkpoints. People will move freely in a democratic (Palestinian) state."

President Bush held talks in Ramallah City with President Mahmoud Abbas and then held joint news conference as both reiterated commitment to peace choice and the necessity to establish an independent Palestinian state.