The pair are now scheduled to meet May 16 in Washington.

Burns attributed the incident to a communications foul-up, but stressed that Albright will be pleased to meet with Levy, who is expected to reiterate Israel's intention to build in eastern Jerusalem and to continue construction in the settlements.

Albright is expected to demand Israel's answer to the American initiative to jump-start the stalled peace process, which special envoy Dennis Ross presented to Israeli officials in Israel about two weeks ago.