Olmert to meet with Bush

Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in the US yesterday for a five-day visit, meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prior to holding talks with President George W. Bush on Monday.

Olmert's Sunday dinner with Condoleezza Rice was in preparation for Monday's White House talks that are expected to focus on Iran's controversial nuclear programme, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the state of US-Israeli ties following the recent American elections.

One of Israel's major concerns is Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly called for the Jerusalem state to be wiped off the map.

Diplomats said Palestinian foreign minister Mahmoud Zahar on Sunday accepted an Arab proposal for peace talks with Israel. The acceptance signals the first time that the ruling Hamas group has showed signs of considering recognising Israel.

According to a senior administration official, Lebanon is likely to be on the Bush-Olmert agenda.