US Vice President Richard Cheney kicked off on Sunday his 10-day visit to the Middle East that includes Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey. Cheney's Mideast trip occurs some two months after US President George W. Bush visited the region and less than two weeks after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Cheney is expected to have "discussions with these key partners on issues of mutual interest," the White House said in a statement. Observers here believed that the vice president will be trying through the visit to, among others, push Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, seek support for Iraq on the occasion of 5th anniversary of Iraq war.

Vice President Richard Cheney addresses at Arlington National Cemetery during Veteran's Day ceremonies in Washington, DC, November 11, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)