WASHINGTON, July 17 (UPI) -- The White House announced Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will meet with President Bush in Washington on July 29.
The terse announcement said, "The two leaders will discuss efforts to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as a range of bilateral and regional issues."
Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas announced Wednesday he will meet with Bush on July 25 to also discuss the Middle East peace efforts.
But spokesmen for the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad organizations have criticized Abbas for planning the trip to the United States.
Israel Radio said the complaints centered on the fact Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat is still confined to his Ramallah compound.
The militant groups also demand Abbas reject all U.S. pressure to dismantle them and try to make them give up their weapons.
But Palestinian officials say Abbas' decision to go to Washington has gained Arafat's blessing -- an approval pushed for by Egyptian officials.
