No breakthroughs were expected in three days of talks following up on a US-hosted international conference in November that yielded promises from both sides to try to forge a two-state accord before Bush’s term ends in January 2009.

Accused for years of neglecting the West Asia’s most intractable conflict, Bush strode down the red carpet at Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion airport and spoke of a lasting peace that has eluded many of his predecessors.

“We see a new opportunity for peace here in the holy land and for freedom across the region,” Bush said at the welcoming ceremony before flying by helicopter to Jerusalem for talks with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

“We will discuss our deep desire for security and freedom and for peace throughout the West Asia.”

Bush will try to nudge Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whom he sees in the occupied West Bank tomorrow, to move forward in a fragile peace process relaunched at Annapolis, Maryland.

But Olmert and Abbas are politically weak and analysts say chances are slim for a Palestinian statehood deal before Bush leaves the White House.

Doubts remain about the seriousness of his commitment and ability to act as an even-handed broker between US ally Israel and Palestinians.

Iran also looms large over Bush’s travels, which will include visits to Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies he hopes to enlist in efforts to contain Tehran’s growing regional clout.

Peres opened the visit by telling Bush immediately at the welcoming ceremony of Israel’s concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme — worries that Washington shares.