Jerusalem, Jan 26 (IANS/EFE): Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has declined an invitation to meet with US President Barack Obama, during his ongoing visit to New York, Israeli media reported Monday.

According to the reports, the White House contacted Israeli officials and Rivlin's advisors Saturday to study the possibility of holding the meeting, an offer that the Israeli leader declined.

The Israeli presidency, however, has provided no further details on the invitation, but a brief official statement released Sunday night indicated that both leaders had difficulty in adjusting their agendas.

"Over the past few days, there has been contact between the relevant parties in Israel and the US, discussing the possibility of a meeting between President Obama and President Rivlin during his visit to New York to address the United Nations Holocaust commemorations," said the statement.

"At this stage, it has been agreed not to hold a meeting during his visit, due to the schedule constraints of both leaders, and that a meeting would be scheduled at a later date," it added, according to the Times of Israel.

Rivlin advisors said that the Israeli president may return to his country by the end of the week, before Obama returns from visits to India and Saudi Arabia.