United States Vice-President Joe Biden arrived in Israel Monday afternoon for a three-day trip which will also see him visit the Palestinian territories, dpa reported.
Biden, accompanied by his wife, Jill, made no statement to reporters at the Ben Gurion Airport, south-east of Tel Aviv, but made at once for a sleek black limousine waiting directly at the foot of the aircraft's steps.
During his stay, Biden, the highest-ranking Obama administration official to visit the region, will meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition Leader Tzipi Livni, as well as with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
His talks are expected to focus on the troubled Israeli- Palestinian peace process, and, in his parleys with Israeli officials, on Israel's concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Biden will also deliver a major address at Tel Aviv University on Thursday, before leaving for Amman, Jordan.