Houston meets Israeli leader

Houston and husband Bobby Brown wore traditional costume

US pop star Whitney Houston has met Israeli Prime Minster Ariel Sharon as part of a "spiritual" visit to the country.

She has travelled to Israel to find inspiration for a forthcoming album as a guest of a religious group, the Black Hebrews community.

The Black Hebrews settled in Israel in 1969 and believe they are descendents of one of the lost tribes of Israel.

The singer's spokeswoman Patricia Houston said the trip to the town of Dimona was a "spiritual retreat".

Dressed in a distinctive vibrant red African costume, Houston told Sharon she was in Israel to "visit friends and family" among the polygamous black Hebrews, who have been living in Israel since 1969.

Tour

Sharon welcomed the singer to his Jerusalem home, saying: "You are most welcome here. This is your first visit here, we believe the first of many to come."

The singer is due to tour Jerusalem on Wednesday, taking in both Jewish and Christian holy sites in the Old City.

Later in the week, she is due to visit the Galilee and Jordan river areas.

Houston's career has been on the wane in recent years, despite signing a $100m (£69m) deal with Arista records in 2001.