Blair stands by Israel
Ehud Olmert heaped praise on Tony Blair
Saturday, 09, Sep 2006 12:00
Tony Blair and Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert have presented a united front in the 'war on terror' at a press conference in Jerusalem.
The prime minister praised Mr Olmert's leadership of Israel during the recent conflict with Lebanese militant group Hizbullah, telling the Israeli leader: "You have my sympathy and solidarity."
Mr Olmert responded by saying: "Tony Blair has been one of the greatest world fighters against terror," thanking him for support against terrorism and the unity between Britain and Israel.
He admitted, however, that Mr Blair had placed pressure on him to address the "humanitarian needs of the Palestinians", as well as emphasising "the desire of Great Britain to allow a political process between us and the Palestinians to take place as soon as possible".
It emerged that Mr Olmert has confirmed his readiness to meet Hamas leader Mahmoud Abbas, following Mr Abbas' offer for talks made earlier today.
But he warned: "The principles of the roadmap are absolutely relevant to the existence to which we face… we cannot go forward to any serious political process if we don't beat terror."
Mr Blair commented on the Palestinian issue, saying: "We have a roadmap… we have to find a means of getting back to it."
He said he believed that all the major terrorist events of the 21st century were linked together, explaining the "non-negotiable" nature of his belief that "we face a global threat based on this global terrorism".
"However difficult it is and however unpopular…I will continue to stand up for an alliance of people who believe in peace and tolerance and democracy against those who believe in terrorism. There is no bigger or more important struggle in the world today."
Describing the implementation of the UN resolution laying out the terms for the current ceasefire between Israel and Hizbullah as being a "major strategic advance for peace in the region", he dismissed Hizbullah itself as "trying to disrupt that process of statehood" which the Lebanese government was currently aspiring to.
Talks between the two leaders are continuing into the evening.