WASHINGTON, January 5, 2008 (WAFA) - US President George W. Bush said Saturday that his trip to the Middle East next week aimed to promote peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

"This is a region of great strategic importance to the United States, and I'm looking forward to my visit," Bush, who leaves January 8, said in his weekly radio address. Bush said he planned to push Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Mahmud Abbas to make progress on peace talks restarted at a US-championed conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

"This is difficult work. It will require tough decisions on complex questions. But I am optimistic about the prospects. And I will make clear that America is deeply committed to helping both parties," Bush said.