This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7515786.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Brown to begin Middle East talks Brown in Middle East leader talks
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown has flown into Tel Aviv for two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian political leaders.Gordon Brown has flown into Tel Aviv for two days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian political leaders.
During his stay, Mr Brown will hold talks with Israeli president Shimon Peres and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas. He has held talks with Israeli president Shimon Peres, who lavished him with praise, and will later meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
Aides said the talks would focus on barriers to investment in the occupied territories, Britain's trade links and ways forward in the peace process.Aides said the talks would focus on barriers to investment in the occupied territories, Britain's trade links and ways forward in the peace process.
The trip follows an earlier visit by the prime minister to Iraq.The trip follows an earlier visit by the prime minister to Iraq.
Financial support 'Respected leader'
His schedule also includes an address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday - the first by a British head of government.His schedule also includes an address to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday - the first by a British head of government.
Mr Brown will begin his visit by laying a wreath at Jerusalem's Holocaust museum before meeting Mr Peres. Mr Brown began his visit by laying a wreath at Jerusalem's Holocaust museum.
He will then see Palestinian leaders in Bethlehem, where Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will accompany him to the Church of the Nativity. Afterwards he said: "Nothing prepares you for what we see here.
Afterwards, Mr Brown will return to Jerusalem to hold talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres. "This is the story of the atrocities that should have been prevented, the killings that should never have happened, the truth that everybody who loves humanity should know."
During his trip, he will stay at the King David Hotel - the British headquarters in colonial times. He said he was committed to enabling pupils from every school to go on trips to Auschwitz to learn about what happened there.
He will later see Palestinian leaders in Bethlehem, where Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will accompany him to the Church of the Nativity.
Mr Peres said it was "a real pleasure" to welcome Mr Brown, calling him "one of the most respected leaders of our time".
He also praised the British prime minister for his religious beliefs, voicing admiration that Mr Brown had been an economist for so long and also remained a "sincere believer".
During his trip, Mr Brown will stay at the King David Hotel - the British headquarters in colonial times.
He is expected to offer financial support for Palestinian development. There will also be substantial economic assistance should peace be achieved, officials said.He is expected to offer financial support for Palestinian development. There will also be substantial economic assistance should peace be achieved, officials said.
The visit to Israel is Mr Brown's first since taking over as prime minister a year ago.The visit to Israel is Mr Brown's first since taking over as prime minister a year ago.
Iraq visitIraq visit
He visited Iraq on Friday for talks with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki before moving on to see British troops stationed in the south of the country.He visited Iraq on Friday for talks with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki before moving on to see British troops stationed in the south of the country.
The visit was made ahead of a statement next week on Britain's involvement there.The visit was made ahead of a statement next week on Britain's involvement there.
Mr Brown said that although "huge progress" had been made he would not set an "artificial timetable" for reducing troop numbers.Mr Brown said that although "huge progress" had been made he would not set an "artificial timetable" for reducing troop numbers.
Plans to halve UK troop numbers to 2,500 by spring were delayed due to violence in Basra at the end of March.Plans to halve UK troop numbers to 2,500 by spring were delayed due to violence in Basra at the end of March.
Numbers had been reduced from 5,000 to 4,000 between October 2007 and early April.Numbers had been reduced from 5,000 to 4,000 between October 2007 and early April.
Mr Brown praised the professionalism and courage of British troops at Basra Air Station and told them their work would make a huge difference to the country in the long term.Mr Brown praised the professionalism and courage of British troops at Basra Air Station and told them their work would make a huge difference to the country in the long term.