Sharon-Abbas will hold summit this month

Haaretz said in its online edition that the leaders would meet at the end of the month after attending a September 14-16 summit at the United Nations. Israeli political sources confirmed talks were expected this month but had no details on the date or venue.

The Palestinians denied a summit had been set. But Abbas said in a published interview he would welcome new talks with Sharon that could help advance a US-led "road map" to peace.

"An official negotiating meeting should be held in Jerusalem, and we are ready for any meeting," Abbas told the Palestinian daily al-Quds.

Last month's withdrawals from the Gaza Strip and a corner of the West Bank, the first removal by Israel of settlements from land where Palestinians seek statehood, has stirred hopes of ending almost five years of fighting.