Abbas will meet Rice in Jericho on Thursday: Sources

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday in West Bank city of Jericho, Palestinian sources said on Tuesday.

"Dr. Rice's visit aims at pushing the peace process in the region," chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Israel radio.

Earlier, Israeli reports said that Rice was likely to hold separate meetings with Abbas and Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert.

Rice will come to the region with U.S. President George W. Bush who will arrive in Jordan on Wednesday to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

After Bush ends meeting with al-Maliki, he will hold another meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Israeli reports also said Bush may pay a swift visit to Israel and meet Olmert.

The diplomatic moves come days after Israel and the Palestinians have agreed on a limited ceasefire in Gaza Strip. The deal is thought to revive hopes to resume stalled peace process between the two sides.

Erekat said the Palestinians want real peace talks to end the Israeli occupation and several outstanding problems, including Israeli settlements in West Bank, borders and refugees.

"If Israel abandoned putting orders and preconditions, they will find a Palestinian partner ready to resume talks and reach to tow- state solution," Erekat concluded.

Source: Xinhua