Blair set to meet Sharon, Arafat

Israelis are preparing today for a visit by Prime Minister Tony Blair this week on a mission to calm the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and discuss the stricken Middle East peace talks.

Israeli officials said Mr Blair's office had asked for a meeting with Israeli leader Ariel Sharon on his way back from Saudi Arabia, where he is due tomorrow. An adviser to Yasser Arafat said Mr Blair had also asked to meet the Palestinian leader in Gaza on Thursday.

An Israeli government official said: "We hope Mr Blair will be able to use his influence as a respected world leader to put pressure on Mr Arafat to stop terror activities."

The Palestinian Authority is under pressure to halt terror groups in its territory after two weekend attacks left five Israelis dead. The Israeli government is also under pressure over its incursion into six Palestinian controlled towns, five of which it still occupies, following the assassination of cabinet minister Revaham Ze'evi.