Bush arrives in Israel talking peace

JERUSALEM, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush arrived in Jerusalem Wednesday for talks with Israeli leaders about forging a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Bush first met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and then with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the capital, which was all but shut down for security reasons, CNN reported.

In a news conference with Olmert, Bush said for the rest of his trip "I will be talking about the opportunity for Middle Eastern peace and remind people in the neighborhood that if they truly want to see two states living side by side in peace ... Arab leaders have an obligation to recognize Israel's important contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East, and to encourage and support the Palestinians as they make tough choices. I'm an optimistic (person) -- people say, do you think (peace is) possible during your presidency, and the answer is, I'm very hopeful and will work hard to that end."

Bush was to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday morning in the West Bank.

Olmert and Abbas met Tuesday and agreed to give their respective negotiating teams blanket authority to discuss core issues, the report said.

In addition to Bush's large security entourage, Israel has deployed more than 10,000 police officers for his visit, as numerous anti-U.S. protests were scheduled by both Israelis and Palestinians.

After his West Bank visit, Bush is to return to Jerusalem and depart from there Friday for visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt before returning to Washington Wednesday.