WASHINGTON : Barack Obama's campaign Friday rejected Republican claims that his five-nation Middle East and Europe tour was a political stunt, as it unveiled a packed agenda of talks with leaders.

Obama's campaign said the Illinois senator would avoid negotiating or trying to make policy during the meetings in deference to the duties of current President George W. Bush.

The campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain has branded Obama's tour, which is expected to draw massive media coverage, as nothing more than a political stunt, especially as it will include a high-profile speech in Berlin.

"That is not what we are doing," said Obama communications advisor Robert Gibbs.

"The speech in Berlin will be a substantive speech about American and European relations, the trip is not at all a campaign trip, a rally of any sort, it is a series of substantive meetings with our friends and allies."

Obama foreign policy aide Susan Rice said the Illinois senator would discuss issues including climate change, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism in his five-nation tour.

"It is important to note that it is not our intent to make policy, or negotiate, we will not do so, there is one president of the United States at any given time, we will certainly honor and respect that," she said.

The campaign did not however give timings or locations for Obama's talks and meetings, apparently due to security concerns.

In Jordan, where local officials say he is expected on Monday, Obama will meet King Abdullah II, Obama aides said.

In Israel, Obama will meet Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres, defense minister Ehud Barak, opposition Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

He will also hold talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, the campaign said, but would not confirm reports from Ramallah that the Senator would travel to the West Bank to do so.

The campaign also said it had not yet decided where Obama would give a speech in Berlin, following controversy over a reported attempt to hold an event at the highly symbolic Brandenburg Gate.

However, senior advisor Ben Rhodes said that Obama had recognized that it would be presumptuous to speak at the gate, site of a famous appearance by former president Ronald Reagan in 1987.

In France, Obama will hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and at the end of his tour he will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and opposition Conservative Party leader David Cameron.

- AFP /ls