JERUSALEM, May 5: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met on Monday to try to accelerate peace talks that have shown little sign of progress ahead of a visit by US President George W. Bush.

The one-on-one meeting, which follows a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, has been overshadowed by a new criminal investigation into Olmert’s affairs that has some Israeli commentators questioning his political prospects.

Olmert’s office declined to comment ahead of the meeting at the prime minister’s Jerusalem residence, where he was questioned on Friday by police over fresh allegations that were barred from publication under a court gag order.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Monday’s talks would focus on negotiations on core issues, launched at a US-hosted international conference in Annapolis, Maryland in November, and on an Israeli obligation to halt Jewish settlement expansion.

Rice said she still hoped to seal a statehood deal by the end of this year. Washington wants to see more progress before Bush visits Israel later this month to take part in ceremonies marking its 60th anniversary.—Reuters