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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brown meets Palestinian PM Fayyad | Brown meets Palestinian PM Fayyad |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown has said he hopes Israel and the Palestinians will "overcome" the issue of settlements in the West Bank in the near future. | Gordon Brown has said he hopes Israel and the Palestinians will "overcome" the issue of settlements in the West Bank in the near future. |
| The UK prime minister held talks with his Palestinian counterpart Salam Fayyad at Downing Street. | |
| He said that "everybody" thought peace was possible but added that Israel had to dismantle the settlements, which were a "blockage" to progress. | He said that "everybody" thought peace was possible but added that Israel had to dismantle the settlements, which were a "blockage" to progress. |
| Mr Fayyad is also meeting City of London financiers for investment talks. | |
| 'Barrier' | 'Barrier' |
| After the Downing Street meeting, Mr Brown told a joint press conference: "One of the blockages to that (peace) is clearly the settlement issue. | After the Downing Street meeting, Mr Brown told a joint press conference: "One of the blockages to that (peace) is clearly the settlement issue. |
| "We have consistently said - and I've said this to successive Israeli prime ministers and presidents when I've met them - we've consistently seen that as a barrier to reaching the agreement that everybody thinks is possible. | "We have consistently said - and I've said this to successive Israeli prime ministers and presidents when I've met them - we've consistently seen that as a barrier to reaching the agreement that everybody thinks is possible. |
| "And I hope in the talks in the next few weeks and months this will be recognised as a barrier that's got to be overcome." | "And I hope in the talks in the next few weeks and months this will be recognised as a barrier that's got to be overcome." |
| Mr Brown also said: "Establishing a viable Palestinian state with a stable economy and flourishing private sector is a crucial part of this process." | Mr Brown also said: "Establishing a viable Palestinian state with a stable economy and flourishing private sector is a crucial part of this process." |
| The trade and investment forum taking place in the City would provide a chance to explore further opportunities for development, he added. | The trade and investment forum taking place in the City would provide a chance to explore further opportunities for development, he added. |
| Mr Brown said: "It will promote Palestinian economic development, it will demonstrate the resilience of the Palestinian private sector, it will show the considerable opportunities for partnerships with the United Kingdom." | Mr Brown said: "It will promote Palestinian economic development, it will demonstrate the resilience of the Palestinian private sector, it will show the considerable opportunities for partnerships with the United Kingdom." |