RAMALLAH, May 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas left here for the United States, via Jordan, to meet on Thursday with US President George W. Bush at the White House.

    Official Palestinian sources at Abbas' office said that the visit to the United States would last for three days, where he will meet with President Bush and other US officials.

    The sources denied if there is any meeting scheduled between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is currently in the United States to earn the Jewish community support for his plans, especially the disengagement plan on withdrawal of Israeli troops and Jewish settlers from Gaza and part of the West Bank. 

    Abbas flew to Jordan by a Royal Jordanian helicopter, where he would directly head from the Amman Airport to the United States using a Moroccan Jet.

    Abbas told reporters in Ramallah before departure that his visit to Washington has very important "dimensions," adding "there are so many demands related to our current situation."

    "We would ask from the Americans to positively respond to our political and economic demands, and when I say political demands, I mean the implementation of the roadmap plan," said Abbas.

    Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al Qedwa, who is going with Abbas to the United States, said that it is the first time ever meeting between Bush and Abbas since the latter was elected as a Palestinian president in January.

    "President Abbas would focus on the issue of guaranteeing the pullout from the Gaza Strip as part of the roadmap peace plan and President Bush's vision of establishing a Palestinian state side-by-side with the state of Israel," said al Qedwa.  Enditem