Blair’s Mideast peace hopes

THE new “road map” to peace in the Middle East could result in a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Mr Blair was speaking in Downing Street after US President George Bush said America would publish its peace plan after Mahmoud Abbas is confirmed in his role as a powerful prime minister of the Palestinian Authority under President Yasser Arafat.

Mr Blair told reporters: “I have just spoken to the incoming Palestinian prime minister and Chairman Arafat following the announcement that the president made.