WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The White House Monday confirmed Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will meet President Bush in the spring.
The invitations for talks were made by the president, who will meet with them separately.
"We are still working out the modalities (of the visits)," spokesman Scott McClellan said. "The president is pleased they accepted the invitations" and he looks forward to meeting with them.
"This is a very hopeful phase in the Middle East ... and we want to do everything we can to move forward with the president's two-state vision."
Sharon and Abbas were to meet Tuesday in Egypt to continue negotiations that could lead eventually to a Middle East settlement.
The U.S. invitations were seen as a symbol of a renewed commitment by the Bush administration to an Israeli-Palestinian solution, taking advantage of the changed situation in Palestinian territories following the death of Yasser Arafat and the rise of the more reform-minded Abbas.
Israel and the United States has insisted on reformation of the Palestinian Authority to curb corruption and improve security, including the thwarting of terrorist attacks against Israel.
