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Middle East at 'critical moment' Middle East at 'critical moment'
(20 minutes later)
The Middle East faces a "critical moment of decision", Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.The Middle East faces a "critical moment of decision", Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
The next few days and weeks would be crucial for the future stability of the region, he said after talks in Turkey.The next few days and weeks would be crucial for the future stability of the region, he said after talks in Turkey.
Mr Blair spoke as he began a Middle East tour aimed at kick-starting the Israeli and Palestinian peace process.Mr Blair spoke as he began a Middle East tour aimed at kick-starting the Israeli and Palestinian peace process.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for elections to be held soon to try to diffuse rising tensions between Hamas and Fatah.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for elections to be held soon to try to diffuse rising tensions between Hamas and Fatah.
Mr Abbas spoke live on Palestinian TV after days of violence which have raised fears of civil war.Mr Abbas spoke live on Palestinian TV after days of violence which have raised fears of civil war.
Speaking earlier in the Turkish capital Ankara, Mr Blair said nothing was more important in the Middle East and the rest of the world than the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.Speaking earlier in the Turkish capital Ankara, Mr Blair said nothing was more important in the Middle East and the rest of the world than the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
'Critical moment' 'Sense of urgency'
Referring to recent violence, Mr Blair said: "As you can see from the events of the last 24 hours, the next few days or weeks are a critical moment of decision for this whole process."Referring to recent violence, Mr Blair said: "As you can see from the events of the last 24 hours, the next few days or weeks are a critical moment of decision for this whole process."
He believes the most important thing was to establish "a fully functioning authority" which will "start to create the structures on the Palestinian side that then allow a negotiation for peace with Israel to go forward". We have just swapped the icy cold of the central Turkish plain for the dusty heat of north Africa BBC correspondent James Landale href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6184481.stm" class="">Middle East tour diary
He believes the most important thing is to establish "a fully functioning authority" which will "start to create the structures on the Palestinian side that then allow a negotiation for peace with Israel to go forward".
Worsening violence was a reason for going there, not for staying away, he said.Worsening violence was a reason for going there, not for staying away, he said.
"If we don't get a new sense of urgency and movement in this situation, it will continue to go backwards and the suffering of the Palestinian people and the implications for the region and for the security of Israel are dreadful.""If we don't get a new sense of urgency and movement in this situation, it will continue to go backwards and the suffering of the Palestinian people and the implications for the region and for the security of Israel are dreadful."
Mr Blair has begun a tour of the Middle East The prime minister said he was a "strong supporter" of Turkey's bid to join the European Union, and said it could play an important role as part of an "arc of moderation" in the Muslim world and as a bridge between Europe and the region.
The prime minister said he is a "strong supporter" of Turkey's bid to join the European Union and believes it can play an important role as part of an "arc of moderation" in the Muslim world and as a bridge between Europe and the region.
"Turkey is placed right between the Middle East and Europe and if we needed no other reminder of the strategic importance of Turkey to the European Union it is what is happening in the Middle East today," he said."Turkey is placed right between the Middle East and Europe and if we needed no other reminder of the strategic importance of Turkey to the European Union it is what is happening in the Middle East today," he said.
His counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was committed to finding a solution of the conflict. His counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was committed to finding a solution to the conflict.
Mr Blair earlier praised Turkey's leadership and said the country's membership was also "of fundamental importance to the future of Europe".Mr Blair earlier praised Turkey's leadership and said the country's membership was also "of fundamental importance to the future of Europe".
He said he would like to see the establishment of direct flights between Britain and Turkish Northern Cyprus if this could be lawfully achieved.He said he would like to see the establishment of direct flights between Britain and Turkish Northern Cyprus if this could be lawfully achieved.
Suspending talksSuspending talks
Meanwhile, Mr Erdogan called the EU's decision to partially freeze talks with his country as a "great injustice".Meanwhile, Mr Erdogan called the EU's decision to partially freeze talks with his country as a "great injustice".
Mr Blair has begun a tour of the Middle East
Mr Blair arrived in Turkey on Friday after attending a two-day EU summit in Brussels where the partial freeze was agreed.Mr Blair arrived in Turkey on Friday after attending a two-day EU summit in Brussels where the partial freeze was agreed.
EU foreign ministers decided to suspend accession talks with Turkey on eight of the 35 areas that candidates are required to complete.EU foreign ministers decided to suspend accession talks with Turkey on eight of the 35 areas that candidates are required to complete.
It follows Turkey's refusal to open its sea and air ports to EU member Cyprus, under a customs union pact it signed with the bloc last year.It follows Turkey's refusal to open its sea and air ports to EU member Cyprus, under a customs union pact it signed with the bloc last year.
But Mr Erdogan told the press conference his country was committed to reforms which would allow it entry into Europe.But Mr Erdogan told the press conference his country was committed to reforms which would allow it entry into Europe.
Peace process
Aides had earlier said the prime minister would be using his trip to explore the possibilities for "unbarring the door" to progress in the peace process, which he is understood to see as the key for a wider resolution of tensions in the region as a whole, including Iraq.
On Friday Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "This is about getting momentum, stepping up a gear to try to get things moving on Israel [and] Palestine."
Although no major breakthrough is expected during Mr Blair's visit, the UK will aim to play a "facilitating and helpful role" in establishing a sense of direction about what the next steps in the peace process might be, the spokesman said.
Mr Blair has arrived for further talks in Cairo, Egypt, after leaving Turkey. He will also go to Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United Arab Emirates.Mr Blair has arrived for further talks in Cairo, Egypt, after leaving Turkey. He will also go to Israel, the Palestinian territories and the United Arab Emirates.