JERUSALEM: An Israeli lawmaker said US President George W. Bush plans to hold a summit with Israeli and Arab leaders in Egypt next month.
Palestinian officials confirm that Washington is trying to set up a meeting between Bush and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and the leaders of Egypt and Jordan.
Israeli lawmaker Yossi Beilin said Tuesday that the summit would be held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The meeting is to be a follow-up to last November’s peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, where the Israelis and the Palestinians relaunched peace talks after seven years.
Senior Palestinian officials say the meeting would be held on May 17 or May 18. This coincides with the World Economic Forum, which will be held in Sharm El Shiekh from May 18 to 20.
Bush is expected in the region in May to celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday.US officials had no comment on the reported summit. -AP
