The United States president, George W Bush, has been accused of suggesting that the Democratic party frontrunner Barack Obama would appease terrorists if elected to the White House.

In a speech to the Israeli parliament, President Bush said negotiating with terrorists and radicals is "the false comfort of appeasement".

Barack Obama, who has previously said he would be willing to meet with the leaders of hostile nations like Iran, thinks the remark was directed at him.

He has hit back, accusing the president of a "false political attack".

But the White House says the comment was not directed at Barack Obama.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain has weighed in, saying Senator Obama needs to explain why he wants to talk to a country that sponsors terrorism and kills Americans in Iraq.

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