Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will visit President Bush in May, possibly on May 1, the White House said today.

Just after Mr. Abbas' visit to the White House, Mr. Bush will travel to Israel in mid-May to celebrate the Jewish state's 60th anniversary and to push peace talks forward between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr. Bush and Mr. Abbas last met in January, during the president's trip to the Middle East. Mr. Bush traveled into the West Bank to visit the Muqtada in Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority has their compound.

The White House declined to say today whether Mr. Bush will again meet with the Palestinians in the West Bank during his trip in May.

— Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times