Olmert says 'understandings' reached in peace talks

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday that he and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have reached "understandings and points of agreement" on key issues in U.S-backed peace talks but he gave no details.

Faced with a police bribery investigation that could force him from office, Olmert is keen to show progress in the talks during this week's visit by U.S. President George W. Bush.

"There has been significant progress, and understandings and points of agreement have been reached in important matters, but not on all the issues," Olmert said in a speech to visiting world leaders on the eve of Bush's arrival.