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.

The present administration is ostracised by the west because its Hamas leadership refuses to recognise Israel.

Mr Blair, on the second leg of a Middle East visit told reporters: “I hope I’m able to return to this region again.

“And as far as I’m concerned this is issue which I believe passionately in will be as important as any other priority for me in the time that remains for me in office.”

He said he would lead recognition of a national unity government as long as it embraced a negotiated process towards a two state solution in the region, renounced violence and respected existing treaties.

Last night, in Jerusalem, Mr Blair had heard Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offer to meet Mr Abbas without preconditions.

Today Mr Abbas gave his response: “I stand ready to meet Prime Minister Olmert without prior conditions and we are ready to begin immediately preparations for this meeting.”

Mr Abbas added: “Today I will be in Gaza to complete negotiations on establishing a national unity government. It will be necessary to resolve this in the next few days to end the dangerous stalemate in the Palestinian cause in the international arena.”

Mr Blair stressed the suffering of the Palestinian people: “Not just the death and the injuries but the economic depredation and poverty that now exists in Palestine.”

He went on: “The question very simply is, how do we manage to change the situation. To restore momentum to a process that leads to a situation where children can grow up here with some hope of prosperity and peace for the future.

“We must recommit ourselves again to the two state solution. But as we know for the past months this situation has gone backwards and not forwards.”

He said he believed there was now “a window of opportunity here even though it may seem very bleak”.

On the proposed unity government Mr Blair added: “I believe that it is important. I believe that such a government based on the requirements does offer the possibility of re-engagement by the international community.

“As far as I’m concerned if such a government is formed I think it is right that the international community deal with such a government.”

He told Mr Abbas: “I think its very welcome that you want to meet and meet without a prior condition.

“I think that’s important because part of getting back to a normal situation is that there are regular meetings between yourself and the prime minister."