Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Washington on Sunday ahead of a farewell meeting with President George W. Bush, with Iran's nuclear drive set to overshadow stagnant Middle East peace talks. The Monday meeting is likely to be their last face-to-face exchange before Bush, who had once hoped to seal a Palestinian-Israeli deal in 2008, hands president-elect Barack Obama the keys to the White House on January 20.
With Bush leaving office and Olmert heading a caretaker government ahead of February elections, the two leaders were unlikely to take any major decisions on any of the outstanding issues.
"The prime minister wants to use the meeting as an opportunity to express his appreciation for President Bush's friendship and support for Israel," Olmert spokesman Mark Regev said.
The two will discuss "a range of bilateral issues, the peace process as well as issues of regional stability," he said, referring to Iran. "We are hopeful for substantive meetings."
A senior US official, who requested anonymity, described the meeting as chiefly a stock-taking effort from which no major announcement should be expected. Olmert will meet Monday with Vice President Dick Cheney and was expected to see other top US officials and perhaps aides to Obama.
Olmert wants to clinch new commitments on Iran from Bush before Obama, whose policy of engagement toward the Islamic Republic has raised some concern in Israel, enters the White House, officials said.
"For Olmert, this is a farewell visit from a close friend and ally. He wants to tie loose ends with regards to promises the Bush administration has given Israel," a government official said.
Olmert will press Bush and Congress to allow Israel to purchase dozens of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which would boost the Israeli air force's ability to carry out long-range strikes.
In September, the Pentagon announced that Israel had asked to buy up to 75 jets, but Congress has yet to give the $15 billion deal a green light.
Over the past year, the US has considerably increased its already tight military ties with its ally, giving the Jewish state an unprecedented 10-year, $30 billion military aid commitment.
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