Blair says peace a priority after Arafat death

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said peace in the Middle East was the international community’s “highest priority” as he today expressed his condolences to the family of Yasser Arafat.

Mr Blair said world leaders must continue to “work tirelessly” to achieve the goal of a two-state solution which was the aim of President Arafat, who died earlier today in Paris.

He said: “I would like to express my condolences to the family of President Arafat and to the Palestinian people.

“President Arafat came to symbolise the Palestinian national movement. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, jointly with Yitzhak Rubin, in recognition of their efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.

“He led his people to an historic acceptance of the need for a two-state solution. That goal of a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel is one that we must continue to work tirelessly to achieve.

“Peace in the Middle East must be the international community’s highest priority. We will do whatever we can working with the US and EU to help the parties reach a fair and durable settlement.”