WASHINGTON - U.S. first lady Laura Bush will travel this week to the Middle East to press for expanding women's rights amid a furor in the Muslim world over a retracted magazine report that the Koran was desecrated by U.S. interrogators.
Her visit to Jordan, Israel and Egypt, announced on Tuesday by the White House, was to be part of President George W. Bush's push for democracy in the region and for restarting the stalled "road map" peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.
"The trip is an opportunity for Mrs. Bush to reinforce our commitment to promoting freedom and supporting women and girls across the Middle East," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
But the first lady, who has won favorable reviews in her overseas forays, could face some of the anti-American sentiment that swept the region following the Newsweek report about Koran abuse at Guantanamo.
Sixteen people died in Afghanistan and protests raged in Pakistan, Indonesia and Gaza.
Newsweek retracted the report on Monday, but McClellan said it has caused lasting damage the United States' image.
The first lady's spokeswoman, Susan Whitson, said Laura Bush would depart on Thursday for Jordan.
She speaks on Saturday to the World Economic Forum in Dead Sea, Jordan, and will meet with Queen Rania, who has backed reforms improving women's rights.
On Sunday in Israel, the first lady will meet with the wife of Israeli President Moshe Katsav, and in Cairo on Monday, with the wife of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
The United States has pressed its allies in the Middle East for greater political and economic reforms, including on the question of women's rights, saying a lack of freedom had fostered Islamic militancy.
The White House also announced on Tuesday that President Bush will meet on May 26 at the White House with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
A truce between Israel and the Palestinians has been shaky and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he will not hold talks on Palestinian statehood until Abbas cracks down on militants as required by a U.S.-led peace "road map."