WASHINGTON - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is meeting with U.S. President George Bush at the White House Thursday for talks on advancing the peace process with Israel.

Mr. Bush wants Israel and the Palestinians to complete a peace deal before he leaves office in less than nine months.

Mr. Abbas has said that any deal must include specific timetables for the creation of a Palestinian state.

During talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Wednesday, Mr. Abbas said Israel’s settlement activity in the West Bank is the biggest obstacle to the peace process

The U.S. backed road map peace plan calls for a complete freeze in settlement activity.

Mr. Bush met Wednesday with Jordan’s King Abdullah, who also called for fixed timetables in any peace deal and urged all parties to honor commitments made at a Middle East summit late last year in Annapolis, Maryland, near Washington.

U.S. State Department spokesman Scott McCormack said that despite public perceptions, the peace process is “moving forward.”

President Bush is set to visit the Middle East next month. Secretary of State Rice is also scheduled to visit the region.

Source:  VOA News