Palestinian premier 'invited to Washington'

Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has been invited to visit Washington in the coming days, a senior Palestinian official said today.

Abbas received the invitation on Saturday during a meeting with United States National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Abbas accepted the invitation which includes a meeting with President George W Bush, the Palestinian official said in Jerusalem.

Rice was due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and senior Israeli officials later today.