Israeli Prime Minister Edhud Olmert called on Tuesday for peace and settlement of hatred between Israel and Palestine in a Middle East peace conference at Annapolis

Israeli Prime Minister Edhud Olmert called on Tuesday for peace and settlement of hatred between Israel and Palestine in a Middle East peace conference at Annapolis, Maryland.

Olmert told the opening ceremony that Israel would enter continuous negotiations with the Palestinians in an effort to complete an agreement next year.

"It will be bilateral, direct, ongoing and continuous, in an effort to complete it during the course of 2008," Olmert said. "I believe that we will be able to reach an agreement that will fulfill the vision of President (George W.) Bush: two states for two peoples."

He also reached out to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas by "inviting you and your people to join us in this long and tremendous" peace process.

"The time has come and we are ready."