By DPA
Tel Aviv : US President George W. Bush will travel in January to Israel, marking his first visit to the US ally since he took office nearly seven years ago, Israeli broadcaster Channel 2 reported, citing government officials.
Bush’s travel plans come after Israel and the Palestinians agreed to relaunch peace talks during last week’s, US-hosted Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland. Bush pledged at the conference to take on a greater mediating role.
In Washington, the White House would not confirm a trip to Israel, saying only that Bush planned to travel in January to the region.
“Details to come,” said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the National Security Council in the White House.
Bush visited Israel in 1998 while being governor of Texas.