JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert responded on Sunday to a revived Arab land-for-peace plan by inviting Arab leaders to meet him for a regional conference.

Olmert’s remarks, during a news conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, appeared to be a new sign of Israeli willingness to pursue a broad dialogue with the Arab world while peacemaking with the Palestinians remains stalled.“I invite for a meeting all the heads of Arab states, including, of course, the king of Saudi Arabia – who I see as a very important leader – to hold talks with us,” Mr Olmert said.

He also said: “If the Saudi king initiates a meeting of moderate (Arab leaders) and invites me and the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, I would be happy to come and voice our views”.

Diplomats said earlier the United States and Egypt have been urging Israel to agree to begin talks quickly with a committee of Arab states on how to move the peace process forward.—Reuters