US President George W. Bush and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday took a positive attitude toward a controversial Israeli plan to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

"I think any withdrawal from the occupied territory is very highly appreciated," Mubarak said at a joint press conference with Bush at the latter's private ranch in Crawford, Texas, responding to a question about the plan put forward by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in December.

Mubarak said that he would do "whatever it takes" to help Israelis and the Palestinians to resume peace process and seek a settlement to their conflict.

President Bush, on his part, echoed Mubarak's comments. "If he were to withdraw from the Gaza, it would be a positive development, " he said.