President Bush will not convene an Israeli-Palestinian peace summit during his visit to the region next week.
Bush, who will be making his first visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority as president on January 9 to 11, was widely expected to hold a three-way meeting with Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas.
But Israel Radio quoted White House sources on Friday as saying that Bush’s schedule would not allow a summit.
In an interview with Reuters, Bush said he expected progress during his separate talks with the Israeli prime minister and Palestinian Authority president.
“There will definitely be substantial talks with the Israelis and the Palestinians,” he said.
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