Political Leonardo DiCaprio

Mar 20, 2007, 13:10 GMT

Leonardo DiCaprio arrives for the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California Sunday 25 February 2007. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON

Leonardo DiCaprio has met with Israeli leaders to help promote peace in the Middle East.

The 'Blood Diamond' star was invited to meet with Israeli Vice Premier and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres within hours of arriving in Tel Aviv on March 11.

Leonardo who visited the country with his Israeli girlfriend, model Bar Refaeli.

An aide to Peres said: "The meeting was pleasant and interesting.

"Shimon told Leo about his Peace Valley project - a joint Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian economic development plan - and Leo spoke about '11th Hour' his documentary on the environment."

Representatives for Leonardo, 32, confirmed the meeting but refused to comment further.

The 'Titanic' star, who was on his first visit to the country, stayed at 21-year-old Bar's family home in the capital.

During his stay he made good friends with Bar's ten-year-old brother On.

Leonardo left Israel on Thursday (15.03.07), after an emotional farewell to Bar at the airport.

A source said: "They were hugging and kissing until the last minute when he had to go on the plane.

"It looked liked it was really hard for them to stay apart."

Meanwhile, Israeli police announced on Thursday they were considering charging two bodyguards involved in a scuffle with photographers during Leonardo's visit to a holy site during his trip.

(C) BANG Media International