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Blair Says "We Haven't Forgotten the Middle East"
LONDON, Oct 18 (News Agencies) - The situation in the Middle East has not been overshadowed by the hunt for Osama bin Laden, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a group of Arab journalists at his official residence in Downing Street Thursday.
"We also know as well of the deep sense of injustice that there is in many parts of the Arab world about the situation in the Middle East," Blair told the London-based reporters.
"As you will know from my meeting with Yasser Arafat earlier this week, we are doing what we can to make sure that the Middle East peace process is started again so that we can give some proper opportunity for people to live in peace," he added.
"Of course, this comes against the background again of a deteriorating security situation, the assassination of the Israeli tourism minister, [and] the killing of a young [Palestinian] girl today simply shows the absolute need for restraint on all sides."
The targeted killing of hardline minister Rehavam Zeevi on Wednesday in Jerusalem was claimed by the Damascus-based Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which claimed it attacked in response to the Israeli assassination of its own leader this past summer.
With tensions continuing to rise in the region, Blair called on leaders to "retake control" of the peace process "to drive out extremes of violence and disorder".
On Monday, Blair gave his most public support yet for a "viable" Palestinian state, which would coexist peacefully alongside Israel, after holding Downing Street talks with Palestinian leader Arafat.
Blair denied that his remarks were intended to blunt Arab and Muslim anger at the air strikes on Afghanistan, but emphasized that he wanted to "reinvigorate" the peace process, according to a BBC online report.
The report quoted British Foreign Office minister Peter Hain as saying on BBC Two's
Newsnight program that a Palestinian state was essential to the region's security. Hain even used "President Arafat" to describe the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, BBC said.
Meanwhile on Thursday, Israeli shells blasted the Ibrahim school in Jenin in the northern West Bank, killing 12-year-old Riham Ward, and wounding at least three other girls, according to medical officials.
Addressing Arab correspondents, Blair also reaffirmed the need to pursue the current U.S.-led action in Afghanistan.
"We believed following September 11th, and believe passionately now, that we have no alternative but to take action against the terrorist network of al-Qaeda and against the Taliban regime of Afghanistan that gives them shelter and support."
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