Bush to visit Israel in January
Prime minister's office confirms US president will visit early next month. Bush's itinerary still unconfirmed, unknown if he will meet with Palestinian President Abbas
US President George W. Bush is scheduled to land in Israel on January 9th 2008, the White House and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Diplomatic officials in Jerusalem said the visit had been arranged during Olmert's visits to the White House last week prior to and after the peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland. Bush, who faced criticism for not taking a more hands-on approach to Mideast peace efforts earlier, pledged that the United States would use its power to help Israel and the Palestinian Authority reach an agreement.
Bush last visited Israel nearly a decade ago in his capacity as Governor of Texas.
The president's travel plans have to be announced and it is unknown if he will meet with Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas or if he intends to visit neighboring Arab nations such as Jordan or Egypt.
Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, would not specify which countries Bush planned to visit. "The president will go to the Mideast region in early January. Details to come," Johndroe said.
Olmert and Bush have worked together closely since Olmert took office in early 2006. Bush met with Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas together and separately at the White House last week to emphasize his interest in helping them reach a peace deal.
Bush is seeking an agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis by the end of 2008 amid some doubts about his commitment to stay engaged on the issue during his last year in office.
Reuters contributed to this report
