TEL AVIV, January 9, 2008 (WAFA) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he seeks lasting peace in the Middle East.

Bush arrived in Israel early Wednesday afternoon, for a visit that will seek to advance peace talks between Palestine and Israel, following on from the U.S.-hosted international peace summit in Annapolis, Maryland last November.

"We seek lasting peace. We see a new opportunity for peace here in the holy land and for freedom across the region," Bush said during an official welcoming ceremony at Ben-Gurion International Airport, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

"We will discuss our deep desire for security and freedom and for peace throughout the Middle East," he added.