Visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has invited Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to visit his country, saying he would be 'among friends' there.

The invitation, extended by Sharon during extensive talks with Vajpayee held in a 'warm and cordial' atmosphere, was spontaneously accepted by Vajpayee, a top official in the Israeli delegation said.

Complete coverage of Sharon's visit

Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the talks Sharon had with Indian leaders, the official said the landmark visit would result in upgradation of bilateral relations to new heights.

On the West Asia crisis, he said so long as the Palestinian authorities failed to act against Palestinian terror groups, the Israeli government would continue with its determined fight against them.

Observing that Israel was a peace-loving country, the official said the government there was prepared to make painful concessions for the sake of genuine peace.

He made it clear that there would be no compromise on the security of the Israeli people 'either now or in future'.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee accepted 'with pleasure' the invitation extended by his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon to visit that country.

"Prime Minister Sharon invited Prime Minister Vajpayee to visit Israel. Vajpayee accepted this invitation with pleasure," an 18-point joint statement issued at the conclusion of Sharon's visit said.