Prime Minister Ehud Olmert plans to meet Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who also serves as President of the Palestinian Authority and chairman of the PLO since Yasser Arafat died.

Olmert's office sent out the following statement Tuesday afternoon: "In response to journalists' questions regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen, a meeting is being planned for next week. Its precise date and location will be determined in talks between the sides. This is an additional meeting in the framework of the sides' desire to hold regular contacts."