Bush embarks on final push for peace

Washington: President George W. Bush was to launch on Monday the biggest push for Middle East peace of his two terms in office before a major conference which has raised hopes and recriminations in the Arab world.

Bush, who has said he is "personally committed" to resolving the decades-old Middle East conflict, was to meet separately during the day with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The White House talks come on the eve of a major peace conference to be held in Annapolis.

A Palestinian negotiator said that a document setting out the contours of the future negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians would be made public later on Monday after weeks of behind-the-scenes haggling.

"This document... will determine the terms of reference for negotiations - such as the roadmap and international resolutions - and the modalities for negotiations after Annapolis," Yasser Abed Rabbo said.