Amman - Jordan's largest political party, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), on Monday strongly attacked Arab leaders for receiving US President George W Bush after what was largely perceived in the Arab world as extremely biased speech before the Israeli Knesset.

"Welcoming the war criminal Bush in Arab capitals has left deep wounds with Arabs and Muslims, given his speech in the Zionist entity where he clearly adopted (Israeli) policies at the expense of Arab rights," said Mohammad Bozour, who is in charge of the Arab and Islamic File at the IAF Executive Bureau.

"We are astonished to see Bush received with this hospitality in Arab capitals after directing this slap at Arab leaders," he added.

On Sunday, Bush wound up what appeared to be a farewell trip to the Middle East that took him to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

In his speech before the Israeli parliament marking the Jewish state's 60 anniversary, Bush expressed what Arab commentators considered unprecedented support to Israel at a time when Palestinians marked the Nakba "Day of Tragedy."

"The official welcome accorded to Bush implies giving up the Palestinians' rights in regaining their land, exercising sovereignty over Jerusalem and the return of refugees," Bozour said.

He urged Arab leaders to stop their support for peace negotiations with Israel and to extend backing to militant resistance "because it is no longer convincing for Arab and Muslim peoples to speak about the peace process," he added.

The IAF comments came in reference to Bush's speech before the World Economic Forum conference at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el- Sheikh on Saturday where he urged Arab countries to unite against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Lebanese Islamist group Hezbollah as well as against Syria and Iran. (dpa)