JERUSALEM, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Thursday called on Arab countries to attend the U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace conference this fall, saying it would boost peacemaking efforts.

    Livni told Israeli television that the Arab states, whether having diplomatic ties with Israel or not, should attend the conference, "because the Arab world can support Israel when Israelis making the right steps regarding the Palestinians."

    The foreign minister's call came one day after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged the visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to include Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain and other Persian Gulf states in the international peace conference.

    It was important for the delegates to be of ministerial rank at least, said Olmert during Wednesday evening's meeting with Rice, who just wrapped up a brief trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Thursday.

    Rice arrived in Israel on Wednesday afternoon to begin laying the ground for the international peace conference, which was proposed by U.S. President George W. Bush on July 16 in a hope to promote Israel-Palestinian peace process.

    Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal indicated on Wednesday that his country may attend the U.S.-sponsored conference set to take place in the fall.

    Saudi does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.