RAMALLAH, Sept 16: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet US President George Bush in New York on Wednesday amid US rejection of guidelines set for a planned unity government with Hamas, officials said on Saturday.

The two leaders will hold talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and Mr Abbas intends to present Mr Bush with ideas to help revive the stalled US-backed “roadmap” to peace with Israel, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said.

Mr Abbas also plans to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in New York next week, Mr Erekat said. Asked whether a meeting would take place, foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Ms Livni would be attending the UN General Assembly. —Reuters