A building near the White House was evacuated Monday for 90 minutes due to a bomb scare, just ahead of the meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the next day.
The building, namely the White House Conference Center, temporarily houses the White House press room during a renovation of the White House's West Wing that includes its usual place, U.S. media outlets reported.
In early afternoon, reporters were evacuated from the White House Conference Center at Jackson Place across the street from the main White House grounds after a bomb sniffing dog highlighted a car parked nearby.
The building reopened about 90 minutes later.
Police units are still examining the vehicle, which was reportedly driven by a member of the Israeli delegation that was staying across the street from the White House at the Blair House, the White House guest quarters.
Even before the incident, the area was already under heightened security because Olmert is staying at Blair House before a meeting with Bush on Tuesday.
Olmert is in town for talks with U.S. officials on the recent dissolution of the Palestinian government.
There was no indication that the executive mansion where Bush lives and works was affected.
The president and his staff inside the White House are sticking to their schedule as usual, U.S. officials said.
VietNamNet/Xinhuanet | 
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