Olmert and Abbas consider meeting ahead of Bush visit

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are considering meeting ahead of a visit by President George W. Bush, an Israeli government official said on Sunday.

Olmert and Abbas had not been expected to meet before Bush's visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank later this week.

"We are examining the possibility of holding a meeting between Olmert and Abbas before the arrival of President Bush later this week," said the Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Olmert and Abbas last met in Jerusalem on December 27.