Sharon in bid to heal Israeli rift with Britain

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived in London last night for talks aimed at improving strained relations with Britain and pushing forward the Middle East peace process.

The trip comes amid ongoing problems in the implementation of the international road map plan for ending the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr Sharon will dine with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street tomorrow and meet Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, opposition leader Iain Duncan Smith and local Jewish leaders.