British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Saturday arrived in Tel Aviv for talks with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert and other key players in the region on the stalled Middle East peace process.
Blair, who this week announced he will leave office within a year, will also meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, prominent Palestinian officials and the families of Israeli soldiers captured by Palestinian and Hezbollah militants.
The embattled British premier is likely to seek diplomatic gains in the Middle East peace process and guarantees of goodwill from Israel and Lebanon after 34 days of hostilities ended in a UN-brokered August 14 cease-fire.
On Monday, Blair will travel to Lebanon in his first ever trip to the country during which he is due to meet with Lebanese counterpart Fuad Siniora and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a government official told AFP in Beirut. The prime minister's official spokesman said Blair was prepared for an angry reception in the region, particularly among Palestinians, over his position on the recent conflict in Lebanon.
No meetings will take place with Hamas during Blair's visit, his spokesman said, adding Abbas was "a relevant party" for negotiations on the roadmap to peace.
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