Biden heads to Middle East for 5-day tour

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Vice President Joe Biden has left Washington for a five-day tour of the Middle East, including Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan.

In Jerusalem on Tuesday, Biden will have meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni, chair of the Kadima Party.

Biden’s visit Wednesday to the Palestinian territories includes meetings in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas.

On Thursday, Biden will be meeting in Amman with Jordan’s King Abdullah.

The vice president’s wife, Jill Biden, is also going on the trip. She will be visiting schools and hospitals across the region.

-- Associated Press