Jerusalem - Israeli Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is due to meet US President George W Bush at the White House "soon," a statement issued by his office said.

Bush spoke with Olmert on the telephone Wednesday afternoon and invited the Israeli leader to Washington, the statement said.

Olmert resigned last month to fight corruption allegations, but has since continued to rule Israel at the head of a transitional government which will be in place until early elections are held on February 10.

Israel's Channel 10 evening news speculated that the outgoing US president invited the outgoing Israeli leader to discuss a number of outstanding issues, or as a "gesture" to his close ally before he leaves office. (dpa)