Bush to head for Mideast in January

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The White House Tuesday announced U.S. President Bush will travel to the Middle East next month to promote the peace process.

The press secretary's office issued a statement saying Bush would visit Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt Jan. 8-16.

"This visit will follow up on the progress made at Annapolis in helping Israelis and Palestinians to advance their efforts toward peace and achievement of the President's vision of two democratic states living side-by-side in peace and security, as well as encourage Israeli/Arab reconciliation," the statement said.

Bush plans to meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, and with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the West Bank in Bush's first trip to the region as president.

"The trip will also be an opportunity to reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United States to the security of our allies in the Middle East, especially with the Gulf nations, and our close work with them to combat terrorism and extremism, promote freedom, and seek peace and prosperity in the region."