Report: Israel's Sharon to visit Washington

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will visit Washington at the end of the month, Israel Radio reported today.

The trip comes as the United States tries to keep up the momentum behind its road map to Mideast peace and a Palestinian state by 2005.

The radio report said Palestinian Premier Mahmoud Abbas was also expected to visit Washington separately this summer.

Sharon arrives for a visit to Britain on Sunday.

The Haaretz newspaper said Israel has not invited the BBC to Sharon’s briefing after talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The BBC has asked for an interview with Sharon during the visit, but this request is expected to be turned down, said the Israeli newspaper.

The director of the Government Press Office, Danny Seaman, said Israel decided not to co-operate with the BBC in protest against “its anti-Israel coverage, which is characterised by violation of journalistic ethics and the broadcasting of baseless claims”.