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Arab League set for Israel talks Arab League set for Israel talks
(about 3 hours later)
For the first time, a delegation from the Arab League is visiting Israel to try to push forward a plan for peace in the Middle East. For the first time, a delegation from the Arab League is visiting Israel to promote a Middle East peace plan.
Foreign ministers from Egypt and Jordan, the only Arab countries that recognise Israel, will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan, the only Arab countries that recognise Israel, will meet PM Ehud Olmert.
King Abdullah of Jordan meanwhile is in Washington, where he had a private dinner with President George W Bush. The team is trying to push forward an Arab peace plan Israel has in the past treated coolly but which correspondents say it may now be willing to discuss.
And the new Middle East envoy Tony Blair continues his tour of the region. New Middle East envoy Tony Blair said after visiting the West Bank he saw a "moment of opportunity" for peace.
He is due to visit Bahrain and Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. King's visit
After going to the West Bank on Tuesday he said there was a "sense of possibility" in the region. Egypt's Ahmed Abul Gheit and Jordan's Abdel Ilah al-Khatib will present a long-standing Arab League initiative that was readopted at a meeting in Saudi Arabia recently.
Peace plan The initiative offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, the creation of a Palestinian state and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem.
The Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers will be pushing Israel to consider the Arab peace initiative, which offers Israel normal ties with all Arab states in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories, the creation of a Palestinian state and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee problem. Jordan's foreign minister goes to Jerusalem after meeting Tony Blair
King Abdullah went for dinner at the White House Israel dismissed the proposal on its launch in 2002, but has recently suggested it could be the basis for negotiations.
Israel responded very coolly to the Arab initiative when it was first put forward in 2002.
But recently, it has expressed a willingness to discuss it.
Some observers see the Arab League visit as part of growing diplomatic activity aimed at reviving the moribund Middle East peace process, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem.Some observers see the Arab League visit as part of growing diplomatic activity aimed at reviving the moribund Middle East peace process, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem.
It suggests, they say, that peace is still possible if moderate forces work together.It suggests, they say, that peace is still possible if moderate forces work together.
But elsewhere, our correspondent says, there is deep pessimism about whether these steps are really leading anywhere, as well as concern about the massive internal divisions among the Palestinians.But elsewhere, our correspondent says, there is deep pessimism about whether these steps are really leading anywhere, as well as concern about the massive internal divisions among the Palestinians.
In Washington, King Abdullah urged President Bush to step up US efforts on the Middle East peace process, said a statement from Jordan's embassy. On Wednesday, the Haaretz newspaper said Israel was considering an "an agreement of principles" with Palestinians that could establish a Palestinian state on 90% of occupied territory.
"The King said that a just and comprehensive peace... should emanate from a solution that addresses all outstanding issues between the Palestinians and Israel, including final status issues" of borders and refugees, the statement said. The paper said Israel would propose a tunnel linking the West Bank and Gaza, while there would also be a territory exchange allowing Israel to keep its main Jewish settlements.
Mr Bush "remains committed to two states, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the US National Security Council. In the US, King Abdullah of Jordan met President George W Bush at a private dinner in Washington.
The king urged Mr Bush to step up US efforts on Middle East peace.
A US administration official said Mr Bush remained "committed to two states, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security".
Meanwhile, Mr Blair, the former UK prime minister, is continuing his tour of the region.
He is due to visit Bahrain and Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
He said in the West Bank: "I think there is a sense of possibility at the moment. I think this is a moment of opportunity."