JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Tuesday that the U.S.-host Mideast peace conference in Annapolis will take place in the last week of November.

    Olmert made the announcement to reporters after meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.

    However, he noted that formal invitations have yet to be sent out and Israel is interested in Syria's participation at the Annapolis conference.

    "We believe that Syria's participation is the right thing. I hope that if the process with the Palestinians will succeed then it will encourage a similar process with Syria," Olmert said.

    The Israeli premier reiterated that negotiations with the Palestinians on the core issues will begin after the conference and that every concrete move will follow the Road Map plan on Mideast peace.

    "Both sides are committed to a number of steps," Olmert said, adding "we are prepared to fulfill our commitments in order to move forward."

    Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israel is going to seek important agreements that would require the Palestinians to implement the first stage of the road map.

    "This includes dismantling all terrorist organizations and terror camps extends to Gaza as well," the website of local daily Jerusalem Post quoted him as saying.

    In July, U.S. President George W. Bush proposed to hold an international conference this fall to include Israel, the Palestinian National Authority and some of their Arab neighbors to help restart Mideast peace talks and review progress in building democratic institutions.

    Rice, Olmert agree to involve Syria into peace summit conditionally　

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) poses with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during their meeting in Jerusalem Nov. 4, 2007, in this picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO). (Xinhua/Reuter Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice agreed on Sunday that Syria could attend the upcoming U.S.-sponsored international Mideast peace conference on certain conditions, local daily Haaretz reported on its website. Full story

    Israeli PM says opportunity for peace talks exists    

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday evening that there is an opportunity for peace talks as the Palestinian leadership is committed to agreements signed in past years, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website. Full story

    Abbas: We should implement roadmap first phase

    RAMALLAH, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Monday that both Israel and the Palestinians should be equally committed to implement the first phase of roadmap plan for peace in the Middle East. Full story

    Israel, Palestinians show positive signs ahead of peace parley

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) walks with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that Israel and the Palestinians are "moving toward an understanding" that a U.S.-sponsored conference can be a forum to restart long-stalled peace talks.

    Rice made the remarks after meeting with high-ranking officials from both sides during her third visit to the region in six weeks, aiming at boosting peace talks prior to the upcoming peace parley in Annapolis, Maryland later this year. Full story