Palestinians agree to meet Israelis after Blair's visit

British Prime Minster Tony Blair today pledged to use his last months in office to pursue peace in the Middle East – after hearing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agree to meet the Israeli Prime Minister.

The move comes after weeks of bloody conflict which scarred the region early this year. Mr Abbas, speaking after talks with Mr Blair at his presidential compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah also said he was going to Gaza to start urgent talks on forming a national unity government which could win international recognition.