WASHINGTON: US President George W Bush said last night that part of the reason for his trip to the Middle East next week is "absolutely" about efforts to contain Iran's influence in the region.

"I will clarify to them that the US National Intelligence Estimate means that Iran is still a danger," he said in an interview at the White House. "I will remind them that a country that can suspend a programme can easily start a programme."

According to excerpts of another interview, Bush believes an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal will be reached this year.

He said the two sides must clinch a deal in 2008 in order to see the creation of a Palestinian state, Israel's Yediot Aharonot newspaper quoted him as saying. Bush sought to ease Israeli fears that any future Palestinian state could threaten its security.

However, the White House said Bush has no plans "at this point" to hold a joint meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders during his visit.

In a related development, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow for talks on the situation in the Palestinian territories ahead of Bush's trip, the Palestinian ambassador in Riyadh said.