Blair to visit Israel on peace mission

Tony Blair is planning to visit Israel in the run-up to Christmas, it was reported today.

The Prime Minister's trip was let slip by Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom in an interview with Israeli army radio.

Mr Blair believes the re-election of President George Bush and the death of Yasser Arafat offer a new opportunity to bring peace to the Middle East and his visit would be a chance to take this message directly to the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

He will be looking for assurances from prime minister Ariel Sharon that the planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip marks the beginning of a renewed peace process, not a final gesture by Tel Aviv. Mr Blair is also expected to sound out plans for a summit on the peace process in London in 2005.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is holding talks with Mr Sharon today. He will also meet Palestine Liberation Organisation head Mahmoud Abbas and prime minister Ahmed Qureia when he visits the West Bank tomorrow.

Mr Blair used his recent summit with Mr Bush to press the US to take a lead in the Middle East.