WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush heads to the Middle East Tuesday where he will continue pushing for a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.Mr. Bush has said such a deal is possible before his presidency ends in January, although talks between the two sides have bogged down over various issues.

President Bush begins his five-day trip to the region in Israel where he will meet Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Mr. Olmert’s fight against bribery accusations has disrupted the already faltering peace process.

Mr. Bush will also go to Egypt, where he will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Like Mr. Olmert, the Palestinian leader’s position is tenuous, as he has governed only the West Bank since Hamas Islamists took control of the Gaza Strip.

In Egypt, Mr. Bush will also meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. Deadly fighting between supporters of Lebanon’s Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition broke out early this month.

Before returning to Washington, Mr. Bush will travel to oil-rich Saudi Arabia for discussions with King Abdullah to work on containing runaway oil prices that threaten economies around the world.

Source:  VOA News