Olmert, Abbas agree to talk

JERICHO - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank today, opening talks on broad "principles" for a Palestinian state before a conference later in the year.

After months of resistance, Olmert agreed to expand the scope of discussions with Abbas to include "fundamental issues" that are key to creating a state and ending the conflict, officials said.

Israeli and Palestinian officials said the meeting would take place in the West Bank city of Jericho. Palestinian officials said Olmert would be the first Israeli prime minister to travel to a Palestinian city for more than six years.

- Reuters