Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, talks with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney during their meeting at Abbas' office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, 23 March 2008

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank for talks on advancing the Mideast peace process.

Cheney arrived at Mr. Abbas' headquarters in the city of Ramallah Sunday after talks in Jerusalem with Israeli officials, including President Shimon Peres.

At a joint news conference with Mr. Peres, Cheney said the Bush administration is dedicated to moving the peace process forward. The vice president says Washington also is dealing with emerging regional threats to both Israel and the United States.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, right, speaks with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney during their meeting in Jerusalem Sunday, 23 March 2008

Mr. Peres says Israel considers Iran to be a very serious threat because of repeated calls by its leader, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for the destruction of the Jewish state.

Earlier today, Cheney attended an Easter church service in Jerusalem.

After arriving in Israel on Saturday, the vice president said the United States will never pressure the Jewish state to take steps that threaten its security.

Cheney spoke at a joint news conference in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The vice president said America's commitment to Israel's security is "enduring and unshakable."

Cheney is next expected to travel to Turkey, the last stop on his nine-day Middle East tour.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.

VOA News