Talks offer 'sense of hope' for Mid-East

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair said last night new international talks offered the chance to forge a "sense of hope" into a Middle East peace deal.

The Israelis said all sides agreed there was no need for them to attend the London gathering proposed by the British Prime Minister. However, Mr Blair insisted the event could act as a bridge back to the internationally agreed "Roadmap" peace settlement.

He was speaking after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, the favourite to replace the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, during a visit to the region.