US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prepare for a news conference in Amman March 31, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

This will be their first face-to-face talks in seven weeks after Abbas suspend the talks with Olmert since March in protest at a deadly Israeli strike on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Abbas expressed his confidence at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement as planned at the end of 2008, which will help establish a Palestinian state.

Rice started a shuttle visit to the Middle East on Saturday in a bid to discuss practical ways to improve the lives of the Palestinians.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2008)