White House sets dates of Mideast leader visits

The White House is announcing dates for visits this month by the leaders of Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian authority, part of President Barack Obama's efforts to forge a Middle East peace.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that new Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu will arrive on Monday. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak will be in Washington on May 26 and Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, will visit the U.S. capital two days later.

Gibbs said the goal of the talks will be discussions on "the steps all parties should take to help achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians and between Israel and the Arab states."

Netanyahu has been known as a political hard-liner on Israeli security issues.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is announcing dates for visits this month by the leaders of Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian authority, part of President Barack Obama's efforts to forge a Middle East peace.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that new Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu will arrive on Monday. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarack will be in Washington on May 26 and Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, will visit the U.S. capital two days later.

Gibbs said the goal of the talks will be discussions on "the steps all parties should take to help achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians and between Israel and the Arab states."

Netanyahu has been known as a political hard-liner on Israeli security issues.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. corrects spelling to Mubarak, sted Mubarack.)