Mahmud Abbas arrives in US for Mideast talks

Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will top the guest list for the meeting that will be opened by US President George W Bush.

The negotiators are seeking to start negotiations for a Palestinian state living in peace with Israel.

During a three-way summit in Egypt on Thursday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan8217;s King Abdullah II and Abbas said they were 8220;optimistic8221; that the meeting would be successful.

Abbas urged the foreign ministers meeting in Cairo to seize the 8220;historic opportunity8221; that the conference provides, despite his admission that talks with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert had failed to reach a joint document for the Annapolis conference.

Diplomatic efforts to reactivate the peace process which collapsed at Camp David seven years ago, picked up after Hamas8217;s shock election victory during the 2006 legislative elections.

The win sparked fear among neighbouring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan where Islamist movements form the countries8217; strongest opposition groups.

Egypt and Jordan, the only two Arab countries to have signed peace treaties with Israel, have shown the most enthusiasm for the success of the conference.