Bush plans first peace mission to Middle East

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The announcement comes a week after the US president hosted talks at which Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged to seek a peace deal before the end of 2008.

The White House would not release details of Mr Bush's itinerary but an Israeli television station said he would go there for the first time in his sevenyear presidency.

"The president believes now is an appropriate time to visit the region," said White House press secretary Dana Perino. Israel's Channel 2 television reported that Bush would focus on Israel-Palestinian peace talks but also would discuss Iran after a US intelligence report said on Monday that the country was not actively developing nuclear weapons. Other Israeli media reported the visit would be on 9 January.

Mr Bush will want to step up pressure on the Israelis and Palestinians to resume peace talks. He is keen to see them draw up an agreement for an independent Palestinian state as he seeks to create a legacy before he leaves office next year.

Last week, the Bush administration hosted a Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, where Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas told sceptical Arab neighbours that they were ready to resume talks.

Mr Bush has avoided efforts at Middle East peacemaking for most of his presidency but he argues that conditions in Israel and the Palestinian territories are now right for him to be more pro-active.

He has said Israeli and Palestinian leaders are ready to make peace, that there was a wider and unifying fight against extremism fed by the Palestinian conflict and the world understood the urgency of acting now.

Fundamental differences over issues such as the borders of a Palestinian state, the status of disputed Jerusalem and the rights of Palestinian refugees and their descendants have led to the collapse of previous peace efforts.