US Vice President Dick Cheney to visit Middle East

Washington: The Middle East is due to receive US Vice President Dick Cheney next week as he makes his tours of Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Palestinian West Bank, Turkey and Oman, his office said on Monday.

Cheney, whose trip will begin on Sunday, will meet many Middle Eastern leaders, although exact dates and issues to be discussed have not been revealed.

In a statement, Cheney's office said US President George W Bush asked him to discuss issues of mutual interest with key partners in the Middle East.

Most likely issues on the agenda will include record high oil prices with Saudi King Abdullah and regional tensions in Turkey.

Cheney's trip to Israel and the West Bank comes after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit last week.