US to host Middle East peace talks

The US announced it will inaugurate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians next week, ending a seven-year lull.

The talks consist of a conference of leaders and diplomats the Americans hope will help shepherd a final Mideast settlement.

Organisers said the meeting will take place Monday-Wednesday in Washington and at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, but revealed few other details, saying it was too soon to say which of the 49 invited nations and organisations would attend.

The event is meant to commit Israel and the Palestinians to formal peace talks that carry international backing.

President George Bush was due to deliver a speech at the naval academy to open a one-day session there with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.