U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah Sunday.

Rice is in the region to attempt to advance efforts to secure an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal by the end of the year. She says she will urge Israel to remove more barriers and checkpoints in the West Bank when she meets with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in separate talks Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed Sunday that he will meet Mr. Abbas on Monday.

Rice told reporters on Saturday that Israel must take down significant roadblocks -- rather than symbolic barriers -- in order to improve the lives of West Bank Palestinians whose movements are restricted by a system of checkpoints.

The International Monetary Fund warned last month that the Palestinian economy would contract unless Israel eases restrictions on movement in the West Bank.

In addition to talks with Mr. Abbas Sunday, Rice is scheduled to hold meetings with the Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as well as the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Rice had dinner with Prime Minister Olmert following her arrival in Jerusalem Saturday.

Mr. Olmert said Sunday he would not let a new corruption investigation prevent him from doing his job including pressing ahead with Middle East peace negotiations.

Police questioned the Israeli Prime Minister on Friday but would not comment on the substance of the discussions.

The investigation is the fifth against Olmert since his government took office two years ago.