WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush has invited Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to his Texas ranchon April 11 to help advance the Middle East peace process, the White House announced Friday.

    "President Bush will welcome Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to hisranch in Crawford, Texas, on April 11, 2005. The President looks forward to discussing with Prime Minister Sharon a wide range of key bilateral and regional issues, including the search for peace in the Middle East and the war on terrorism," White House Spokesman Scott McClellan announced in a statement.

    It will be Sharon's first visit to Bush's private ranch although he has been invited to the White House several times.

    US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice extended invitations to Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas last month during a visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank. According to US media reports, Abbas is expected to meet Bush in Washington in coming weeks. Enditem