The United States said on Mondaythat a ceasefire deal between Israel and the Palestinians was a "hopeful" sign of progress.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are due to meet on Tuesday at the Egyptian resort ofSharm el-Sheikh, during which a ceasefire is expected to be announced.

"We welcome the meeting taking place tomorrow," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told a news briefing.

"The Palestinian leadership has shown a commitment to ending violence and cracking down on terrorism. They've shown a commitment to putting their security forces on the border areas toprevent attacks on Israel," McClellan said, noting "This is a hopeful period in the Middle East."

US President George W. Bush is looking forward to meet Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Washington, McClellan added.

"The president has met with both leaders in the past, and he looks forward to meeting with them in the future to advance the two-state vision that he outlined in 2002," McClellan said.

Bush has invited both Abbas and Sharon to Washington for separate meetings in March or April, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Monday.

Source: Xinhua