GAZA, June 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Well-informed Palestinian official sources said Sunday two senior US officials are to visit the West Bank to pave the way for the coming Mideast trip by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice due to start on June 18.

    The sources said US Deputy National Security Advisor Eliot Abrams and Deputy Secretary of State for Near East David Welch willarrive in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday to meet Palestinian officials over the agenda of Rice's visit.

    The two US officials will also hold talks with both the Israeli and Palestinian sides to bridge the gaps on the coming Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the northern West Bank, added the sources.

    Rice's visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories comes just days before a second summit between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon slated for June 21.

    The two leaders met on Feb. 8 at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh and reached a ceasefire that put an end to 4 1/2-year-old violence.

    Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters that thePalestinians hope that Rice's visit to the region would give a powerful push to the Middle East peace process and resolve outstanding issues between Israel and the Palestinians. Enditem