Al-Quds city, Feb 2, SPA -- Egypt has offered to host an Israeli-Palestinian summit next week, and Prime MinisterAriel Sharon has accepted the invitation, Sharon's officeannounced Wednesday. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was en route from Turkeyto Jordan and could not immediately be reached for comment. Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad told TheAssociated Press it is too early to confirm or deny such aninvitation had been issued. Sharon's announcement came after Egyptian intelligencechief Omar Suleiman held an unexpected meeting with Sharonin Al-Quds city on Wednesday. Egypt is offering to host the summit on Tuesday in theEgyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Sharon's officesaid. Abbas and Sharon had tentatively planned to meet Tuesday,though no time or place had been set yet. Israel's SecurityCabinet was to meet Thursday to approve a series ofgestures toward the Palestinians, including a limitedprisoner release and a gradual handover of several WestBank towns to Palestinian control. The Cabinet meeting was to be followed by talks betweenSharon and Abbas aides on finalizing an agenda for thesummit. The Palestinians have said they want the summit tobe well prepared and to yield results. With Egypt offering to play host, there was a greaterprobability that the summit would take place. NeitherIsrael nor the Palestinians would want to offend EgyptianPresident Hosni Mubarak, a key mediator.--SPA1357 Local Time 1057 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/236297