Bush invites Israel's Olmert to visit Washington

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

JERUSALEM, Mar 29 (Reuters) U S President George W Bush today invited Israel's interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to visit Washington immediately after he forms a cabinet following his win in parliamentary elections.

Olmert's office said Bush telephoned to congratulate the interim leader on the victory of his centrist Kadima party, which took most seats in an election seen as a referendum on the future of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

''The interim prime minister added that he is interested in continuing the same policy begun by prime minister Sharon and to advance the diplomatic track,'' the statement said.

Olmert took over from Ariel Sharon when the former general suffered a massive stroke on January 4.

He has given fresh momentum to Sharon's policy of disengaging from conflict with the Palestinians by planning to uproot isolated settlements in the West Bank while expanding larger blocs if peacemaking remains frozen. Olmert has said he would seek American approval for the plan.

Reuters KD DB2149

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