Ramallah (West Bank): The Palestinians today called on US President George W Bush to press Israel to freeze settlement activity when he visits the region this week in a bid to bolster the peace process.

Violence simmered ahead of Bush's visit, with Israeli troops killing three armed Palestinians, including a woman, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni saying operations against militants would continue even during peace negotiations. "President Abbas considers President Bush's visit as historic and important and one that will advance the peace processs, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told AFP.

"We are expecting that President Bush will get Israel to freeze settlement activity and that he will insist on the need to put an end to the Israeli occupation so as to lead to the creation of two states in line with his vision," said Nabil Abu Rudeina.

Israeli settlements on Arab land captured in the 1967 Six Day War all considered illegal by the international community are one of the most contentious issues of the decades-old Middle East conflict.

They have been a key source of discord between the two sides since they relaunched peace talks in late November at a US conference after a break of nearly seven years and are expected to figure prominently in discussions during the Bush visit.

Abbas has repeatedly said that negotiations cannot succeed unless Israel halts settlement activity and Bush has described them as a "problem" in one interview given ahead of his trip.

Source : PTI