PM to make last London calling

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will travel to London next week for a one-day visit, to say goodbye to his British counterpart, Gordon Brown. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will also be in the British capital next week, for a conference aimed at promoting the Palestinian economy that Brown is hosting.

Olmert is not expected to meet Fayyad or to attend the conference.

The British government invited Olmert for the visit. During their meeting, he and Brown are expected to discuss a number of issues of interest to both countries. These include the British demand for the labeling of products from Israel and West Bank settlements. The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement indicating that the London visit will address "bilateral and regional issues."

Israeli diplomats in London, however, believe the main reason for the visit is Olmert's desire to say goodbye to Brown. Both enjoyed a warm personal relationship which began when both were finance ministers and continued when they both became prime minister.

Two weeks ago, Olmert flew to the United States to say his official goodbyes to President George W. Bush.