Obama invites Israel PM to White House to discuss Middle East peace

Occupied Jerusalem: President Barack Obama has invited Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet him in Washington on Tuesday to discuss Middle East peace efforts, Netanyahu's office said.

The invitation was handed to Netanyahu by visiting US Middle East envoy George Mitchell at the start of a meeting in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday, the office said.

Netanyahu, who has angered the US administration by continuing to expand colonies in occupied east Jerusalem, was due to leave for Washington later Sunday to meet US officials and Jewish leaders.