The idea of peace is fragile and vulnerable President Sadat

They deny claims President Sadat is primarily concerned with brokering an arms deal to enable Egypt to buy American jets for its airforce.

President Carter invited President Sadat to the US on 18 January, the day the Egyptian premier abruptly recalled his delegation from political negotiations with Israel in Jerusalem.

President Sadat - who took the historic step of visiting Jerusalem last November - accepted the invitation ten days later and President Carter made public the purpose of the talks.

His White House statement said they were, "to hold an extensive review of the progress that has been made in the Arab-Israeli negotiations and of how they might proceed effectively towards the common objective of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East."

Egypt-Israeli talks stalled over Egypt's principle demands for Israeli withdrawal from territories seized by force since 1967 and recognition of the rights of Palestinians to their own state.

Mr Carter hopes his meetings with Mr Sadat - scheduled to take place in the seclusion of Camp David, Maryland - will revive the momentum towards achieving a settlement in the Middle East.

In a press conference after his arrival in Washington Mr Sadat said: "The great idea of peace is unfortunately fragile and vulnerable."

He is expected to be in the US for four days, most of the time in private consultation with the president.

After the US, President Sadat is due to visit ministers in the UK, West Germany, Austria, Romania, France and Italy before returning to Egypt on 13 February.

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