By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent - 26/09/2006

U.S. President George W. Bush is planning a possible visit to the Middle East after the mid-term elections in November to discuss with leaders in the region ways to move the Israeli-Palestinian peace process forward.

An alternative to a Bush tour of the Middle East, senior political sources in Jerusalem say, would be an invitation to leaders in the region to a summit with the president in the United States.

According to reports from Washington, Bush is "serious" about his intentions to promote a diplomatic initiative in the region in the wake of the war in Lebanon, and in view of rising concerns among moderate Arab states over Iran`s growing strength and influence.

The message Arab governments are relaying to the United States is that public opinion in their countries is being affected by the anti-Israeli rhetoric of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, and by the efforts of Iran and Hezbollah to assume a leading role in the Muslim world.

Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is perceived to be one of the ways of calming the internal instability in Arab states, and minimizing Iranian influence in the region.

A similar view was presented by the foreign ministers of Arab states who met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni during the UN General Assembly gathering last week.

Syria, which is considered to be a close ally of Iran, is not included in the American diplomatic initiative, despite statements supporting peace that emerged from Damascus in recent days.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced last Thursday that she intended to visit the Middle East, but did not specify when. "The President has instructed me to work with the moderate leaders in the region and help the parties solve their differences," Rice said.

Her visit is likely to prepare the ground for a presidential tour of the region.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been invited to the United States to address the annual convention of the Jewish communities that will be held in mid-November in Los Angeles.

If Olmert does choose to attend the conference, he is likely to meet with Bush in Washington; however, "visits can take place in both directions," according to one of the political sources in Jerusalem.

Bush`s solitary visit to Israel was in late 1998, when he was governor of Texas and had just embarked on his presidential campaign. In May 2003, Bush took part in the Sharm el-Sheikh conference, along with leaders of Arab states. He also participated in the Aqaba Summit, with King Abdullah of Jordan, then prime minister Ariel Sharon, and Mahmoud Abbas, who, at the time, was serving as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

The failure to promote the road map peace plan for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict distanced Bush from greater involvement in the diplomatic process, and he limited himself to supporting Sharon`s disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

The new American diplomatic initiative comes at a time when Israeli officials feel that the Arab world is exhibiting renewed openness toward Israel.

Livni returned from talks at the UN with a sense that there is growing international interest in renewing the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians, and that moderate Arab states share a common interest with Israel versus radical elements in the region.

During Livni`s address to the General Assembly last Thursday night, only the Libyan representative left the hall, and officials in Jerusalem view this as a sign of openness toward Israel on the part of the Arab states.