Israeli peace negotiator Uri Savir dies aged 69

Uri Savir, centre, pictured with then Palestinian National Council President Yasser Arafat ahead of talks in Gaza in 1996 (Adel Hana/AP)

Uri Savir, a prominent Israeli peace negotiator and dogged believer in the need for a settlement with the Palestinians, has died aged 69.

Israeli media reports said he died on Friday, but no cause of death was given.