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PM Blair to meet Mid-East leaders Blair backs Palestinians' leader
(26 minutes later)
UK PM Tony Blair is holding talks with the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on the fourth day of a tour aimed at reviving a stalled peace process. UK PM Tony Blair has told the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, he backs his efforts to revive the stalled peace process.
The prime minister is expected to back Mr Abbas' proposal for early elections in the hope of resolving the deadlock between rival Palestinian factions. "Nobody should have a veto on progress," Mr Blair said during a visit to the West Bank town of Ramallah.
A ceasefire between Hamas and Fatah, whose infighting has paralysed the administration, was reported on Sunday. Mr Abbas meanwhile urged Mr Blair to lift an aid freeze on the Palestinians and said he was ready to hold "serious" talks with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert.
Mr Abbas' call for early polls has led to clashes with Hamas party rivals.
Fighting between Hamas and Mr Abbas' Fatah party has paralysed the administration.
Later on Monday, Mr Blair is due to meet the Israeli prime minister.Later on Monday, Mr Blair is due to meet the Israeli prime minister.
Lord Levy, Mr Blair's special envoy to the Middle East, has joined the prime minister on this latest leg of the tour and is thought to have held preparatory talks with Israeli officials.Lord Levy, Mr Blair's special envoy to the Middle East, has joined the prime minister on this latest leg of the tour and is thought to have held preparatory talks with Israeli officials.
Truce dealTruce deal
Officials of Hamas, which runs the Palestinian government, said they had agreed a truce with Fatah, loyal to Mr Abbas. Officials of Hamas, which runs the Palestinian government, said on Sunday they had agreed a truce with Fatah, loyal to Mr Abbas.
Yet gunfire continued into the night following a day in which Gaza City saw running street battles, with mortars fired at Mr Abbas' office in Gaza City.Yet gunfire continued into the night following a day in which Gaza City saw running street battles, with mortars fired at Mr Abbas' office in Gaza City.
Monday saw fresh clashes, although no-one was killed.Monday saw fresh clashes, although no-one was killed.
Mr Abbas' call for early elections to resolve tensions between the rival factions has been labelled a "coup" by Hamas, sparking renewed fighting between the groups.Mr Abbas' call for early elections to resolve tensions between the rival factions has been labelled a "coup" by Hamas, sparking renewed fighting between the groups.
If we don't stand up and fight for the people of tolerance and moderation ... then the people of hatred and sectarianism will triumph Tony Blair Blair visits Basra troopsIf we don't stand up and fight for the people of tolerance and moderation ... then the people of hatred and sectarianism will triumph Tony Blair Blair visits Basra troops
Hamas won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections in January, but has faced an international aid boycott since because of its refusal to renounce violence or recognise Israel.Hamas won a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections in January, but has faced an international aid boycott since because of its refusal to renounce violence or recognise Israel.
The current administration was elected until 2010, but the US and UK both backed Mr Abbas' call for new elections.The current administration was elected until 2010, but the US and UK both backed Mr Abbas' call for new elections.
On Sunday, Mr Blair held a press conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart, Nouri Maliki, in which he said the UK would stand "four-square" behind the Iraqi government in its battle to defeat terrorists.On Sunday, Mr Blair held a press conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart, Nouri Maliki, in which he said the UK would stand "four-square" behind the Iraqi government in its battle to defeat terrorists.
Later he travelled to the southern city of Basra, where he met some of Britain's 7,000-strong military contingent in the country.Later he travelled to the southern city of Basra, where he met some of Britain's 7,000-strong military contingent in the country.
He has paid a visit to the troops every Christmas since the 2003 war began.He has paid a visit to the troops every Christmas since the 2003 war began.