Bush invites Israeli PM to ranch

Mr Sharon has visited the White House several times

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been invited to US President George W Bush's Texas ranch on 11 April, the White House has announced.

They will discuss the Middle East peace process and the war on terrorism, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

Mr Sharon has been welcomed at the White House on several occasions, but this is the first time he has been invited to Mr Bush's ranch in Crawford.

The invite comes as Mr Bush has been hailing progress in the Middle East.

It also comes a day after Palestinian militants agreed to continue to observe a conditional halt in attacks until the end of the year - a move welcomed by Ariel Sharon.

The White House announcement confirmed earlier reports of the meeting, although Israeli officials had expected it to take place in Washington.

Mr Bush normally uses his ranch for top level diplomatic meetings and to reward important allies.