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Abbas 'ready for Olmert meeting' | Abbas 'ready for Olmert meeting' |
(10 minutes later) | |
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has said he is ready for "unconditional" talks with his Israeli counterpart, after talks with the UK's Tony Blair. | Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has said he is ready for "unconditional" talks with his Israeli counterpart, after talks with the UK's Tony Blair. |
Mr Abbas' announcement comes a day after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also said he was prepared for talks without conditions. | Mr Abbas' announcement comes a day after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also said he was prepared for talks without conditions. |
Mr Blair said there was a "window of opportunity" for the two sides to engage in negotiations. | Mr Blair said there was a "window of opportunity" for the two sides to engage in negotiations. |
He said the road map for peace had taken a backward step in recent months. | He said the road map for peace had taken a backward step in recent months. |
'Possibility of re-engagement' | |
Mr Blair said the international community was ready to deal with a Palestinian government of national unity if it withdrew from the anti-Israeli policies of Hamas, which gained control of the Palestinian parliament in elections in January. | Mr Blair said the international community was ready to deal with a Palestinian government of national unity if it withdrew from the anti-Israeli policies of Hamas, which gained control of the Palestinian parliament in elections in January. |
"I believe that such a government, based on the Quartet requirements, does offer the possibility of re-engagement by the international community," Mr Blair said. | "I believe that such a government, based on the Quartet requirements, does offer the possibility of re-engagement by the international community," Mr Blair said. |
The Quartet of Middle East peace brokers - the US, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia - has boycotted the Hamas-led government, cutting off vital funds. | The Quartet of Middle East peace brokers - the US, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia - has boycotted the Hamas-led government, cutting off vital funds. |
Mr Blair will not be meeting the leaders of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government during his tour of the Mid-East. | Mr Blair will not be meeting the leaders of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government during his tour of the Mid-East. |
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The purpose of this visit was to hear the views from all sides so we came here today to hear the views of the Palestinian president. | A Downing Street spokesman said: "The purpose of this visit was to hear the views from all sides so we came here today to hear the views of the Palestinian president. |
'Dialogue' | 'Dialogue' |
"He will bring with him the views he heard from Prime Minister Olmert and look to hear Palestinian views and Palestinian concerns and try to see how we can get back to some sort of dialogue." | "He will bring with him the views he heard from Prime Minister Olmert and look to hear Palestinian views and Palestinian concerns and try to see how we can get back to some sort of dialogue." |
Prior to his meeting with Mr Abbas, Mr Blair met with the families of Israeli soldiers seized by Islamic militants in Gaza and Lebanon. | Prior to his meeting with Mr Abbas, Mr Blair met with the families of Israeli soldiers seized by Islamic militants in Gaza and Lebanon. |
A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Blair would raise the subject during his visit and hoped the men would be at home to celebrate the Jewish New Year later this month. | A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Blair would raise the subject during his visit and hoped the men would be at home to celebrate the Jewish New Year later this month. |
The prime minister's visit to the Middle East comes amid the continuing row over when he leaves office. | The prime minister's visit to the Middle East comes amid the continuing row over when he leaves office. |
Mr Blair said the stability of the Middle East was essential to the rest of the world, including the UK. | Mr Blair said the stability of the Middle East was essential to the rest of the world, including the UK. |