WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua)-- U.S. President George W. Bush discussed on Friday his new plan on Iraq and Middle East peace efforts through telephone with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the White House said.

    The leaders discussed Bush's plan to increase American soldiers in Iraq, forthcoming visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the Middle East, and efforts to promote so-called "road map" to Middle East peace, said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

    Bush on Wednesday night announced his plan to send more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq in a bid to stabilize the situation in the war-torn Arab country which has been bogged down with sectarian war.

    Following his announcement, Bush has discussed his new plan on Iraq through telephone with leaders of Australia, Britain, and Denmark on Tuesday, Japan, Poland and South Korea on Wednesday; and with Saudi King Abdullah on Thursday.

    On Friday, Rice kicked off her week-long trip to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Luxor, Amman, Kuwait City, Riyadh, London and Berlin. ¡¡