U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Israeli Prime Minister have wrapped up what is expected to be their last meeting before Mr. Powell leaves the region. 

Mr. Sharon later told Israeli television that the meeting focused on a proposed regional summit aimed at re-starting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Mr. Sharon said the meeting could take place in June in the United States. He said he would expect to head the Israeli delegation. 

But Syria and Lebanon have already rejected the summit idea. 

Wednesday, Mr. Powell plans to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at his Israeli-besieged headquarters in Ramallah. From there, he heads to Cairo for a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak before going home. 

Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Powell said he thought he was "making progress" in talks with the Israelis and Palestinians. But he indicated any deal would be something less than a formal ceasefire. 

Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo disputed any notion of progress, saying none is possible without an Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian towns, villages and refugee camps. 

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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